Chameleons form a distinctive part of African biodiversity, and Colin has travelled to all parts of the continent to search for them. He has described 10 new species and three new genera, as well as transformed our knowledge of their distribution and evolutionary relationships. For these studies he was awarded the 2004 Stephenson Hamilton Medal by the South African Zoological Society for outstanding contributions to Southern African zoology. Due to the quality of his photography his pictures are always in great demand. Finally, with the culmination of nearly 30 years of study, the Atlas of African Chameleons is born. It is beautiful illustrated with the author's photography, and filled with a comprehensive and accurate text. It has been a labour of love, but with a qualified bushdoctor in the breech, it has arrived fit, fat and fact-filled. It will enrich African herpetology.

Chameleons are fascinating creatures: they almost always evoke in people a strong response -- be it delight, wonder or fear. Chameleons of Southern Africa explores this interesting group of lizards and discusses their strange and unusual, sometimes unnerving, characteristics. It presents an overview of all types of chameleons (of which there are up to 160 species in total, worldwide), their history, geographic distribution (restricted mainly to Madagascar and Africa), reproduction, behavior and their relationships to each other. It also contains a clear identification guide to all southern African species - some 25 have been identified to date - together with distribution maps and colorful photographs of their many features and guises. For interested students, gardeners, naturalists and even just the curious, Chameleons of Southern Africa is an essential guide to these intriguing lizards.

They change color depending on their mood. They possess uniquely adapted hands and feet distinct from other tetrapods. They feature independently movable eyes. This comprehensive volume delves into these fascinating details and thorough research about one of the most charismatic families of reptilesÑChameleonidae. Written for professional herpetologists, scholars, researchers, and students, this book takes readers on a voyage across time to discover everything that is known about chameleon biology: anatomy, physiology, adaptations, ecology, behavior, biogeography, phylogeny, classification, and conservation. A description of the natural history of chameleons is given, along with the fossil record and typical characteristics of each genus. The state of chameleons in the modern world is also depicted, complete with new information on the most serious threats to these remarkable reptiles.

This second edition "is written by a leading expert on the group, so that means it's up to date and comprehensive. THe success of the first edition (2010) meant that the book was very soon out of print' [...]. HOwever, the revision was no simple task as a lot has happened in chameleon biology and taxonomy in the eight years between this revision and its original. AS usual Colin has summarised and integrated all of this into the species accounts, many of which have been rewritten. EVerywhere we look in Africa, new reptilian novelties are turning up. OVer 20 new taxa have been added to chameleon diversity since Colin's 2010 summary', and their rate of description shows no sign of abating. ONe Rhampholeon was even named in his honour; perhaps, surprisingly, it is neither shaggy nor robust, but it is nonetheless appropriately named, as it is a handsome little fellow with an unassuming air and a large rostral projection. IT is probable that another 20-30 species await discovery and description, assuming we discover them all before their forest habitats are cleared for wardrobes, wood carvings and charcoal. YOur interest in this book means that you probably have a passion for these jewelled gems. LEt that love drive you to understand and protect them, and to save them for future generations. COlin's monumental book is the vehicle they need. ITs size and the stunning array of beautiful images will mean that it will grace more coffee tables than bookshelves. THis is only fitting as its beauty, combined with its up to date science, means that it will serve as both a bedrock of knowledge as well as a printed Cabinet of Curiosity'. IT will, and indeed must, serve as a beacon for the future study and conservation of these African gems."

After thirty years of autocratic rule under "Life President" Kamuzu Banda, Malawians experienced a transition to multi-party democracy in 1994. A new constitution and several democratic institutions promised a new dawn in a country ravaged by poverty and injustice. This book presents original research on the economic, social, political and cultural consequences of the new era. A new generation of scholars, most of them from Malawi, cover virtually every issue causing debate in the New Malawi: poverty and hunger, the plight of civil servants, the role of the judiciary, political intolerance and hate speech, popular music as a form of protest, clergy activism, voluntary associations and ethnic revival, responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and controversies over women's rights. Both chameleon-like leaders and the donors of Malawi's foreign aid come under critical scrutiny for supporting superficial democratization. The book ends with a rare public statement on the New Malawi by Jack Mapanje, Malawi'sinternationally acclaimed writer.

Chameleons are fascinating creatures: they evoke a strong response in people, be it delight and wonder or fear. Chameleons of Southern Africa explores this interesting group of lizards and discusses their unusual and intriguing characteristics. The book presents an overview of all types of chameleons (of which there are up to 160 species), reproduction, behavior and their relationships to one another. There is a comprehensive identification guide to all southern African species – some 25 have been identified to date – together with distribution maps and colourful photographs of their many features and guises. For interested students, gardeners, naturalists and even just the curious, Chameleons of Southern Africa is an essential guide to these captivating lizards