Both males and females have paired gonads, located near the kidneys.
Females have two oviducts that act as a uterus.
Males have two erectile hemipenes located in pouches at the ventral base of their tails.
At 5 to 7 months of age, Jackson's chameleons are already sexually matured.
Mating periods are marked by high temperatures and long hours of daylight.
Most chameleons live their lives alone and are considered introverts, but males and females will tolerate each other during the mating season.
Males attempt to get females attention and impress them by swaying back and forth and bobbing its head, much like dancing. He will extend his neck out and open his mouth as wide as possible to make himself look bigger. He uses his mouth and legs to show how strong he is and how well he can balance on hind legs. He rapidly changes colors to impress her as well. All of these components help the female determine if her offspring with this male would be strong and favorable or not.
If two males want to impress the same female, they will have a jousting battle with their horns. If she does not want this male, she will coil her tail inward and darken her skin to signal the rejection. If she does accept this male, she will lighten her skin and curl her tail as an invitation.
After being done, they will both leave each other and the female will continue mating with others for eleven days.
Gestation lasts around seven to ten months. The mother's body becomes lumpy and she becomes clumsy. The offspring completely develop inside of the mother and once fully developed, the mother gives a live birth. The offspring are released in a protective embryonic sac because there is no true umbilical cord involved. The mother drops them out from high heights which weakens the sac making it easier for the young to break through. Once broken out, the baby is able to live independently.
