One thing that is great about Africa (and many other parts of the world, no doubt), is that you can buy things at the side of the road. While you sit in traffic people walk in between cars selling drinks, watches, sunglasses, T-shirts, car stickers, all sorts. On our way back from Pilanesburg last week, we stopped at an intersection, rolled down the window, and bought not a drink, not a quick snack, but a Chameleon! Who would have thought?! The guys gave it to us in a McDonalds cup, but that wasn't good enough for our little guy, who rode home on it's new mother's shoulder.
After a heated debate about the gender, we decided that it was a boy, and thereafter named it Connor-Connor-Connor-Connor-Connor-Chameleon, after the Boy George Karma Chameleon song and Connor McKee. We should apologize to any of you who receive the McKee family newsletter from Alastair's parents, as this news was misreported. Mother McKee announced the family addition with three Connors, although the correct name of the Chameleon always has five. Sorry for the confusion.
Due to becoming overnight experts on all things Chameleon, we knew that we needed to feed our little guy. We presented it with some crickets, which it gobbled down with joy. It was so cool to see how it eats. First, it acts all uninterested, but it keeps still and then slowly turns his head towards its prey. When he has his sights locked in on the cricket, a massive, long, sticky tongue rockets out of his mouth and shoots the helpless cricket into his little belly. It is really cool to see.
Following a good feed and a little exercise, Connor-Connor-Connor-Connor-Connor-Chameleon is ready to go to sleep. He balances on a plant, closes his tiny eyes, and falls asleep. His color changes, he goes much lighter when he is sleeping. And we should mention, his eyes are really interesting. They don't move in sync like human eyes. His right eye can be looking at one thing and his left looking at another. They move independently, meaning that they can see more of their surroundings at once. They really are fascinating creatures!
He was the hardest thing in the world to find in the morning, he really does camouflage well. We set him free after a week of pampering. After giving him some more crickets to fill his belly, Connor-Connor-Connor-Connor-Connor-Chameleon was ready to head out into the trees close to home, to continue his wonderful life. Maybe we will see him again, but we really doubt it. He was hard enough to find when we knew exactly where he was!