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!
Chameleons have acrodont teeth meaning they are an extension of the jawbone. They are not set in sockets nor are they replaced.
The word Kinyongia is from the Swahili word for chameleons: Kinyonga.
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.
Furcifer labordi (Labord’s Chameleon) has the shortest lifespan of only 4-5 months. It also has the shortest lifespan of any tetrapod!
Trioceros goetzei (Goetze’s Chameleon) emits an audible, high pitched whistle when threatened.
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 largest chameleon species by weight is Calumma parsonii (Parson’s Chameleon).
There are currently 202 recognized chameleon species and 85 of them are found on the island of Madagascar.