The word Furcifer is derived from the Latin word “furci” or forked.
The word Calumma comes from the Latin word for covering. This genus consists of chameleons from Madagascar with occipital lobes.
Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.
The chameleon tongue accelerates towards its target at over 1642m per second. Chameleons rarely miss their intended food item.
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.
Kinyongia uthmoelleri and Trioceros quadricornis gracilor have red claws.
Chameleons have a very poor sense of smell.
Chameleon fossils have been found in central Europe and China, indicating they were once much more widespread than they are now.
The largest chameleon species by weight is Calumma parsonii (Parson’s Chameleon).