Trioceros goetzei (Goetze’s Chameleon) emits an audible, high pitched whistle when threatened.
Pygmy chameleons have bicuspid claws where each claw has two points like a crescent moon.
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.
Chameleons have a very poor sense of smell.
Chameleons have acrodont teeth meaning they are an extension of the jawbone. They are not set in sockets nor are they replaced.
There are currently 202 recognized chameleon species and 85 of them are found on the island of Madagascar.
Trioceros schubotzi can be found at elevations as high as 4500m.
Many chameleon species have a bright red, orange or yellow mouth. This conspicuous interior when displayed is used as a defense against predators.
Chameleon fossils have been found in central Europe and China, indicating they were once much more widespread than they are now.
Furcifer labordi (Labord’s Chameleon) has the shortest lifespan of only 4-5 months. It also has the shortest lifespan of any tetrapod!