The word Calumma comes from the Latin word for covering. This genus consists of chameleons from Madagascar with occipital lobes.
Pygmy chameleons (Brookesia, Palleon, Rhampholeon and Rieppeleon sp.) often resemble dry leaves, mosses and branches.
The word Furcifer is derived from the Latin word “furci” or forked.
Kinyongia uthmoelleri and Trioceros quadricornis gracilor have red claws.
The word Rieppeleon is named after the scientist Olivier Rieppel.
The word Brookesia is named after the British naturalist Joshua Brookes.
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.
Many chameleon species have a bright red, orange or yellow mouth. This conspicuous interior when displayed is used as a defense against predators.
Chameleon fossils have been found in central Europe and China, indicating they were once much more widespread than they are now.