Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet’s Chameleon) is the longest chameleon species reaching lengths of 27 inches (68cm).
Trioceros goetzei (Goetze’s Chameleon) emits an audible, high pitched whistle when threatened.
Chameleons can project their tongue up to 2.2 times their body length.
Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.
Furcifer labordi (Labord’s Chameleon) has the shortest lifespan of only 4-5 months. It also has the shortest lifespan of any tetrapod!
The chameleon tongue accelerates towards its target at over 1642m per second. Chameleons rarely miss their intended food item.
The largest chameleon species by weight is Calumma parsonii (Parson’s Chameleon).
The word Kinyongia is from the Swahili word for chameleons: Kinyonga.
Trioceros schubotzi can be found at elevations as high as 4500m.
The oldest known chameleon fossil is from the extinct species Chamaeleo caroliquarti. It was found in Europe and is 26 million years old.