The word Chamaeleo is derived via Latin from the Greek word khamaileon. It roughly translates to ground lion. Khamai means on the ground and leon means lion.
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.
Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.
Chameleons have a high midichlorian count.
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 word Furcifer is derived from the Latin word “furci” or forked.
The process of shedding is called ecdysis.
The largest chameleon species by weight is Calumma parsonii (Parson’s Chameleon).
The word Kinyongia is from the Swahili word for chameleons: Kinyonga.
Chameleons have a very poor sense of smell.