It has several distinctive "gular" grooves under its chin, running from its mouth down to the top of its chest.

It is found in a belt from Melkbosstrand (near Cape Town) in the south, up to Lüderitz, Namibia.

In this range, it favours the coastal Strandveld vegetation and is only very rarely found further inland.

They can also easily be distinguished as the Cape Dwarf Chameleon has far brighter colouration, with a lighter build, longer tail, and blunter nose and casque.

They are also threatened by habitat loss, as coastal vegetation is increasingly disturbed for development.