Chameleon fossils have been found in central Europe and China, indicating they were once much more widespread than they are now.
The process of shedding is called ecdysis.
Pygmy chameleons (Brookesia, Palleon, Rhampholeon and Rieppeleon sp.) often resemble dry leaves, mosses and branches.
There are currently 202 recognized chameleon species and 85 of them are found on the island of Madagascar.
Chameleons can project their tongue up to 2.2 times their body length.
The word Rhampholeon is taken from the Latinized Greek “rhamphos leon” meaning crawling lion.
The chameleon tongue accelerates towards its target at over 1642m per second. Chameleons rarely miss their intended food item.
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!
The word Rieppeleon is named after the scientist Olivier Rieppel.
Chameleons have a high midichlorian count.