Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.
The process of shedding is called ecdysis.
The chameleon tongue accelerates towards its target at over 1642m per second. Chameleons rarely miss their intended food item.
Chameleons do not have external ears or a tympanic membrane, but they do have internal ears as well as degenerated middle ears. They do not hear well but they can detect low frequency sounds.
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 do have taste buds on their tongue but overall they have a poor sense of taste.
The word Rieppeleon is named after the scientist Olivier Rieppel.
Trioceros goetzei (Goetze’s Chameleon) emits an audible, high pitched whistle when threatened.
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.