The chameleon tongue accelerates towards its target at over 1642m per second. Chameleons rarely miss their intended food item.
The process of shedding is called ecdysis.
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 largest chameleon species by weight is Calumma parsonii (Parson’s Chameleon).
Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet’s Chameleon) is the longest chameleon species reaching lengths of 27 inches (68cm).
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 oldest known chameleon fossil is from the extinct species Chamaeleo caroliquarti. It was found in Europe and is 26 million years old.
Kinyongia uthmoelleri and Trioceros quadricornis gracilor have red claws.
The word Rhampholeon is taken from the Latinized Greek “rhamphos leon” meaning crawling lion.
The word Rieppeleon is named after the scientist Olivier Rieppel.