The word Bradypodion comes from the latin “bradus podos” or slow foot.
Chameleon fossils have been found in central Europe and China, indicating they were once much more widespread than they are now.
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!
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.
The chameleon tongue accelerates towards its target at over 1642m per second. Chameleons rarely miss their intended food item.
True chameleons include the following genera: Archaius, Bradypodion, Brookesia, Calumma, Chamaeleo, Furcifer, Kinyongia, Nadzikambia, Palleon, Rhampholeon, Rieppeleon and Trioceros.
Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.
Kinyongia uthmoelleri and Trioceros quadricornis gracilor have red claws.
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 word Rieppeleon is named after the scientist Olivier Rieppel.