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!
Trioceros goetzei (Goetze’s Chameleon) emits an audible, high pitched whistle when threatened.
The process of shedding is called ecdysis.
Chameleons have laterally compressed bodies. This enables them to warm up quickly by presenting a larger surface area to the sun. It also helps some chameleon species blend in among the similarly shaped leaves in their environment.
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.
Chamaeleo namaquensis is found in the desert of Namibia. To cool off it will sometimes bury itself in the sand.
The word Rieppeleon is named after the scientist Olivier Rieppel.
Pygmy chameleons have bicuspid claws where each claw has two points like a crescent moon.
Chameleons do have taste buds on their tongue but overall they have a poor sense of taste.