True chameleons include the following genera: Archaius, Bradypodion, Brookesia, Calumma, Chamaeleo, Furcifer, Kinyongia, Nadzikambia, Palleon, Rhampholeon, Rieppeleon and Trioceros.
Chameleon fossils have been found in central Europe and China, indicating they were once much more widespread than they are now.
The word Furcifer is derived from the Latin word “furci” or forked.
Chameleons do have taste buds on their tongue but overall they have a poor sense of taste.
The word Kinyongia is from the Swahili word for chameleons: Kinyonga.
Chameleons can project their tongue up to 2.2 times their body length.
Furcifer labordi (Labord’s Chameleon) has the shortest lifespan of only 4-5 months. It also has the shortest lifespan of any tetrapod!
Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet’s Chameleon) is the longest chameleon species reaching lengths of 27 inches (68cm).
Pygmy chameleons have bicuspid claws where each claw has two points like a crescent moon.
Trioceros schubotzi can be found at elevations as high as 4500m.