The Cape dwarf chameleon is a small (up to 90 mm
snout–vent length) lizard with a distribution restricted to
the southwest Western Cape, South Africa. It occurs in
a variety of habitats including fynbos, riparian vegetation
and wetlands. These chameleons can occur at high densities
(up to 200 individuals/ha; Burrage 1973), suggesting
that encounter rates between individuals are likely to be
high. Males are very aggressive and escalated fights have
been observed in the field, with males locking jaws and
falling from perches to the ground in prolonged wrestles.
Males vigorously defend perches although they do not
necessarily defend home ranges (Burrage 1973). The
high level of costly male–male aggression, and potentially
high encounter rates between males, suggests that male–
male competition is likely to be important in gaining access
to receptive females and preventing other males
from doing so.