The Natal Midlands Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion thamnobates), also known under the longer common name of KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Dwarf Chameleon, is a chameleon native to the Midlands area of the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. It has previously been classified as Chamaeleo thamnobates.
Discovered in 1976, its length is 19 cm (7.6 in). Males have a short orange stripe around the middle of their body and red spotted eyelids, whereas females are brown with smaller helmet-like protrustions. They have bulbous scales of varying colors scattered around the body. Their head crests are yellow, with white skin on their throat.
On 8 August 1843 Natal was finally proclaimed a British colony (annexed to Cape Colony) and the Boers moved westwards to the Transvaal.
In the war of 1899–1902, Natal was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting: Elandslaagte, Glencoe, Ladysmith, and the second battle of Majuba Hill.
In 1994, a state of emergency was imposed in Natal in the run-up to the first multiracial elections, after escalating violence by the Zulu-based Inkatha party threatened to derail the election process.
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