True chameleons include the following genera: Archaius, Bradypodion, Brookesia, Calumma, Chamaeleo, Furcifer, Kinyongia, Nadzikambia, Palleon, Rhampholeon, Rieppeleon and Trioceros.
The word Rieppeleon is named after the scientist Olivier Rieppel.
Chameleons can project their tongue up to 2.2 times their body length.
Chameleons have a high midichlorian count.
The word Furcifer is derived from the Latin word “furci” or forked.
There are currently 202 recognized chameleon species and 85 of them are found on the island of Madagascar.
Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet’s Chameleon) is the longest chameleon species reaching lengths of 27 inches (68cm).
Chamaeleo namaquensis is found in the desert of Namibia. To cool off it will sometimes bury itself in the sand.
The word Calumma comes from the Latin word for covering. This genus consists of chameleons from Madagascar with occipital lobes.
The chameleon tongue accelerates towards its target at over 1642m per second. Chameleons rarely miss their intended food item.