The word Calumma comes from the Latin word for covering. This genus consists of chameleons from Madagascar with occipital lobes.
Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.
Chameleon fossils have been found in central Europe and China, indicating they were once much more widespread than they are now.
Chameleons change color by rearranging a lattice of nanocrystals in one of their top layers of skin cells called iridophores. Chameleons can then stretch this layer, broadening the nanocrystalline lattice, thereby causing it to reflect a different wavelength of light.
The largest chameleon species by weight is Calumma parsonii (Parson’s Chameleon).
Kinyongia uthmoelleri and Trioceros quadricornis gracilor have red claws.
The word Rhampholeon is taken from the Latinized Greek “rhamphos leon” meaning crawling lion.
Pygmy chameleons have bicuspid claws where each claw has two points like a crescent moon.
Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet’s Chameleon) is the longest chameleon species reaching lengths of 27 inches (68cm).
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.