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.
The largest chameleon species by weight is Calumma parsonii (Parson’s Chameleon).
There are currently 202 recognized chameleon species and 85 of them are found on the island of Madagascar.
Chameleons do have taste buds on their tongue but overall they have a poor sense of taste.
Pygmy chameleons (Brookesia, Palleon, Rhampholeon and Rieppeleon sp.) often resemble dry leaves, mosses and branches.
Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet’s Chameleon) is the longest chameleon species reaching lengths of 27 inches (68cm).
The word Chamaeleo is derived via Latin from the Greek word khamaileon. It roughly translates to ground lion. Khamai means on the ground and leon means lion.
Trioceros goetzei (Goetze’s Chameleon) emits an audible, high pitched whistle when threatened.