Chameleons do have taste buds on their tongue but overall they have a poor sense of taste.
Many chameleon species have a bright red, orange or yellow mouth. This conspicuous interior when displayed is used as a defense against predators.
The word Rhampholeon is taken from the Latinized Greek “rhamphos leon” meaning crawling lion.
The process of shedding is called ecdysis.
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).
The word Rieppeleon is named after the scientist Olivier Rieppel.
Trioceros schubotzi can be found at elevations as high as 4500m.
Chameleons have acrodont teeth meaning they are an extension of the jawbone. They are not set in sockets nor are they replaced.
The word Brookesia is named after the British naturalist Joshua Brookes.