The word Furcifer is derived from the Latin word “furci” or forked.
The largest chameleon species by weight is Calumma parsonii (Parson’s Chameleon).
The oldest known chameleon fossil is from the extinct species Chamaeleo caroliquarti. It was found in Europe and is 26 million years old.
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.
Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet’s Chameleon) is the longest chameleon species reaching lengths of 27 inches (68cm).
Chameleons can project their tongue up to 2.2 times their body length.
Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.
The word Rhampholeon is taken from the Latinized Greek “rhamphos leon” meaning crawling lion.
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!