Chameleons are one of the most well-known lizards on the planet, even among people not familiar with lizards. After all, their very name led to a word that means a person who can change their looks or personality to fit a situation.
18 Fun Chameleon Facts
These fascinating reptiles are interesting for more than just their color-changing abilities.
1. There are Many Types of Chameleons Around the World
There are over 150 species of chameleons internationally. They are known as "old world" lizards because they are found in the African, Asian, and European continents. Most can be found throughout Africa and the Middle East, with the island country of Madagascar home to more than 50 percent of the world's chameleons. A few species are native to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and lands in the Indian Ocean region. The common or Mediterranean chameleon can be found in southern Europe, including Cypress, Crete, Portugal, Spain, and around the Mediterranean, as well as parts of southwest Asia, including Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.
2. Only a Few Species of Chameleons are Pets
Although there's a wide variety of chameleon species, the majority of chameleons in the pet trade are from three species. The panther chameleon, veiled chameleon, and Jackson's chameleon are the species most commonly kept as pets.
3. The American Chameleon Is Not a Chameleon
Although it's referred to as the American chameleon, the anole is not in fact a member of the chameleon family. This lizard is related to the iguana, instead. It gets its name from the fact that it can change color like chameleons.
4. Chameleons Have Existed a Long Time
Chameleons are believed to have existed since the Paleocene era (56 to 66 million years ago). However, some scientists believe they may have existed as far back as the Cretaceous period (100 million years ago).
5. Chameleons Are Arboreal
Chameleons make their homes in trees and bushes. Their homes range from rainforests to mountains and grasslands to deserts. Though most live in trees, a few are known to live closer to the ground in tall grass formations and in piles of leaves and branches dropped from trees and in sand dunes.
6. Chameleons Are "Ground Lions"
The name, "Chameleon," comes from ancient Greek and Latin and means "ground lion" or "lion on the ground." Since chameleons live in trees, it is thought that perhaps the name refers to their ornate mane-shaped crests around the heads of some species.
7. Chameleons Have Special Tails
Although not all chameleons possess this trait, many have prehensile tails. These tails curl around branches and allow them to keep their balance and climb trees. Unlike other lizards, a chameleon's tail will not grow back if broken off.
8. Chameleons Have Zygodactylous Toes
Zygodactylous toes are fused into opposite sets of two and three. Their front feet have two toes fused together on the outside and three on the inside, while their back feet have two fused on the inside and three on the outside. The toes function the way a human thumb would, allowing them to better grip branches as they move about their arboreal habitats.
9. Chameleons Can Change Their Colors
Chameleons can change their colors to adapt to their environment, though this ability differs across species. While it's commonly thought that they match their skin color to match their surroundings, they can only do this in certain circumstances and they cannot match complex colors or patterns such as those found on printed clothing. Each species has their own unique range of colors that they can cycle through. Chameleons change their colors for a number of reasons, including:
- Poor health
- Pregnancy
- Exposure to light, humidity, and temperature changes
- Behavioral reasons, such as mating, and if they feel threatened
The colors in a chameleon's skin are controlled by an amino acid called guanine, which are formed as crystals. When a chameleon's reactions lead to the crystals moving apart or closer to each other, light wavelengths bouncing off the crystals lead to the color changes we see.
10. Male and Female Chameleons Are Different
Male chameleons tend to have horns, spikes and crests around their heads, whereas the females do not. The males also tend to show off more brightly colored patterns, which usually occurs during mating time, to impress the females. Most pet chameleons tend to be males because they have more ornamentation on their bodies.
11. Chameleons Have Almost 360 Degree Vision
Each of a chameleon's bulging eyes can move in two different directions independent of the other. This allows them to see in an almost 360 range around them. It also allows them to keep their attention on two different things simultaneously. Their sight is so good that they can see insects as far away as 20 feet. In addition to their amazing physical range of their vision, they can also see in the ultraviolet light spectrum.
12. Chameleons Use Their Tongues to Hunt
Chameleons have very long tongues that they can eject quickly from their jaws to catch prey. Their tongues move so fast that they can hit an insect in 0.07 seconds, and their tongue's acceleration has been measured at approximately 41 g's of force. Scientists have found that the smaller the species, the faster the speed and stronger the force of their tongue's acceleration. The length of the tongue varies by species, but can be up to twice as long as their bodies. The tongues have a sticky, bulbous end that creates a "suction cup" effect on insects that get caught on it. The chameleon can then pull the trapped insect inside their jaws.
13. Chameleons Have Tiny Ears
Chameleons have tiny holes on the sides of their head that are their "ears." The ear holes are so small that they are impossible to see to the naked eye. As a result, they do not hear very well and rely on sensing vibration and certain tones to perceive their environment, along with their excellent eyesight.
14. Chameleons Come in Many Sizes
The largest chameleon species is the Parson's chameleon, which can reach a little over 2 feet in length. One of the smallest chameleon species is the tiny Brookesia micra, or leaf chameleon, which can grow up to a half inch.
15. Chameleons Are Ectothermic
Ectotherms are creatures whose body temperature is controlled by the surrounding environment. They need to heat their bodies from outside sources, such as a heat lamp if kept in a terrarium or the sun in their natural environment. If an ectotherm becomes too cold, they become sluggish, will stop hunting and cannot digest food.
16. Chameleons Are Mostly Omnivorous
The chameleon's diet consists of insects such as crickets, locusts, mantids, stick bugs, snails, worms, and grasshoppers. Larger chameleon species have also been known to eat other lizards and small birds. Chameleons can also eat fruits, berries, leaves, and plant matter. A few chameleon species are only carnivorous, or insectivores, while others are only herbivores.
17. Chameleons May Dislike Handling
Chameleons are not a dangerous lizard, but they can hiss and bite if they feel threatened. Some chameleons dislike being handled by humans and can find it very stressful. On the other hand, there are some pet chameleons that are less bothered by human contact. A chameleon that is hissing and retreating in its cage should not be picked up, and while their bites are not poisonous, they can be quite painful and are best avoided.
18. Chameleons Are a Long-Term Commitment
Chameleons can live on average 9 to 10 years when kept in captivity. It's not known for sure how long they live in the wild, but it's believed to be about 2 to 3 years. However, the Madagascan chameleon has the world's shortest lifespan for a vertebrate, living just about three months in total.
Chameleons Are Unique and Interesting Pet Lizards
If you're considering getting a chameleon, it pays to learn more about them. They are not the easiest lizards to keep because of their temperature and humidity needs, and they are not always the easiest to handle. They can make excellent pet lizards with the right environment and a suitable habitat designed to keep them healthy and stress-free.
