Chameleon fossils have been found in central Europe and China, indicating they were once much more widespread than they are now.
Kinyongia uthmoelleri and Trioceros quadricornis gracilor have red claws.
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.
Pygmy chameleons (Brookesia, Palleon, Rhampholeon and Rieppeleon sp.) often resemble dry leaves, mosses and branches.
Pygmy chameleons have bicuspid claws where each claw has two points like a crescent moon.
The word Bradypodion comes from the latin “bradus podos” or slow foot.
Chamaeleo namaquensis is found in the desert of Namibia. To cool off it will sometimes bury itself in the sand.
The word Brookesia is named after the British naturalist Joshua Brookes.
The largest chameleon species by weight is Calumma parsonii (Parson’s Chameleon).
Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.