Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet’s Chameleon) is the longest chameleon species reaching lengths of 27 inches (68cm).
The horns on a chameleon are made up of ringlike segments of inner bone covered by a hard keratin-like skin.
Many chameleon species have a bright red, orange or yellow mouth. This conspicuous interior when displayed is used as a defense against predators.
The word Rieppeleon is named after the scientist Olivier Rieppel.
There are currently 202 recognized chameleon species and 85 of them are found on the island of Madagascar.
Chameleons change color by rearranging a lattice of nanocrystals in one of their top layers of skin cells called iridophores. Chameleons can then stretch this layer, broadening the nanocrystalline lattice, thereby causing it to reflect a different wavelength of light.
Chameleons do have taste buds on their tongue but overall they have a poor sense of taste.
Chameleons do not have external ears or a tympanic membrane, but they do have internal ears as well as degenerated middle ears. They do not hear well but they can detect low frequency sounds.
Trioceros goetzei (Goetze’s Chameleon) emits an audible, high pitched whistle when threatened.
The word Calumma comes from the Latin word for covering. This genus consists of chameleons from Madagascar with occipital lobes.