Pygmy chameleons are sometimes referred to as False Chameleons. This term is actually incorrect and is in reference to anoles, particularly the Cuban False Anole.
Chameleons have a very poor sense of smell.
Pygmy chameleons have bicuspid claws where each claw has two points like a crescent moon.
Chameleons have acrodont teeth meaning they are an extension of the jawbone. They are not set in sockets nor are they replaced.
The word Brookesia is named after the British naturalist Joshua Brookes.
The word Furcifer is derived from the Latin word “furci” or forked.
Chameleons can project their tongue up to 2.2 times their body length.
Chameleons have laterally compressed bodies. This enables them to warm up quickly by presenting a larger surface area to the sun. It also helps some chameleon species blend in among the similarly shaped leaves in their environment.
Trioceros goetzei (Goetze’s Chameleon) emits an audible, high pitched whistle when threatened.
The oldest known chameleon fossil is from the extinct species Chamaeleo caroliquarti. It was found in Europe and is 26 million years old.