We examined the role of multiple male traits, including
traits showing both male-biased and female-biased sexual
dimorphism, in the Cape dwarf chameleon, Bradypodion
pumilum. Female dwarf chameleons are larger than males
(female-biased SSD) but several other traits are relatively
larger in males than females: males have longer tails, relatively
higher, more rugose ornamental casques and wider
heads (Burrage 1973). During both social and agonistic interactions,
male dwarf chameleons perform a display with
their body laterally compressed, the skin behind the bony
casque stretched tight, the gular region extended and the
tail coiled. In the centre of the flank, which is generally
bright green in this population, there is an irregularly
shaped pink-orange patch.