The word Bradypodion comes from the latin “bradus podos” or slow foot.
Chameleons have a very poor sense of smell.
Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet’s Chameleon) is the longest chameleon species reaching lengths of 27 inches (68cm).
The word Rhampholeon is taken from the Latinized Greek “rhamphos leon” meaning crawling lion.
Pygmy chameleons are sometimes referred to as False Chameleons. This term is actually incorrect and is in reference to anoles, particularly the Cuban False Anole.
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 chameleon tongue accelerates towards its target at over 1642m per second. Chameleons rarely miss their intended food item.
There are currently 202 recognized chameleon species and 85 of them are found on the island of Madagascar.
Chameleons have a high midichlorian count.
Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.