True chameleons include the following genera: Archaius, Bradypodion, Brookesia, Calumma, Chamaeleo, Furcifer, Kinyongia, Nadzikambia, Palleon, Rhampholeon, Rieppeleon and Trioceros.
Trioceros goetzei (Goetze’s Chameleon) emits an audible, high pitched whistle when threatened.
Trioceros schubotzi can be found at elevations as high as 4500m.
Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.
Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet’s Chameleon) is the longest chameleon species reaching lengths of 27 inches (68cm).
Furcifer labordi (Labord’s Chameleon) has the shortest lifespan of only 4-5 months. It also has the shortest lifespan of any tetrapod!
The word Bradypodion comes from the latin “bradus podos” or slow foot.
The word Brookesia is named after the British naturalist Joshua Brookes.
The word Rhampholeon is taken from the Latinized Greek “rhamphos leon” meaning crawling lion.
There are currently 202 recognized chameleon species and 85 of them are found on the island of Madagascar.