A Greenwich chameleon has been rescued from the water front.

Triton, the yemen chameleon, is thought to have been abandoned along a pathway in the Thames near Argyll Road.

The colour-changing pet was in a poorly state when he was spotted by a passer-by on the waterfront on Tuesday (November 15).

The chameleon, nicknamed Triton after the Greek god of the sea, was taken to a specialist centre to be looked after.

Animal Collection Officer Kirstie Gillard said: “It must have been a bit of a surprise to see an exotic animal such as this walking along by the river, but we are very grateful to this kindly woman for picking him up and calling us - he would not have survived where he was.

“He was clearly in a bad state when I came to collect him - not eating or drinking and was changing from green to grey in colour, which can be a sign of stress.

“Bearing in mind these animals originate from Madagascar, a cold winter day by the Thames would not have been comfortable for him.”

“It is too soon to say whether he will recover from his ordeal.

Reptiles in captivity need an enclosure specific to the species that mimics their environment in the wild, because they cannot regulate their own body temperature. If they become too cold they may be unable to feed or move normally and their immune system can’t fight disease.

The RSPCA is experiencing widespread neglect and abandonment of exotic animals across the country.

For many people, an exotic animal represents too much of a commitment and animals may be given up to rescues or even released to the wild, when an owner decides they can no longer care for it.

It is an offence to release a non-native animal into the wild under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.

Anyone who may have information or knows who owns this chameleon should contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.