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Did You Know?
Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.
The word Kinyongia is from the Swahili word for chameleons: Kinyonga.
Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet’s Chameleon) is the longest chameleon species reaching lengths of 27 inches (68cm).
Kinyongia uthmoelleri and Trioceros quadricornis gracilor have red claws.
Chameleon fossils have been found in central Europe and China, indicating they were once much more widespread than they are now.
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.
The smallest chameleon species is Brookesia micra with an adult length just over 1 inch (29mm). It hatches from an egg no bigger than a grain of rice!
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.
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.

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