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.
The process of shedding is called ecdysis.
Pygmy chameleons have bicuspid claws where each claw has two points like a crescent moon.
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!
The word Rieppeleon is named after the scientist Olivier Rieppel.
Kinyongia uthmoelleri and Trioceros quadricornis gracilor have red claws.
There are currently 202 recognized chameleon species and 85 of them are found on the island of Madagascar.
The chameleon tongue accelerates towards its target at over 1642m per second. Chameleons rarely miss their intended food item.
Many chameleon species have a bright red, orange or yellow mouth. This conspicuous interior when displayed is used as a defense against predators.
Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.