Some chameleons play dead to avoid predation; this is called thanatosis.
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.
Trioceros schubotzi can be found at elevations as high as 4500m.
Kinyongia uthmoelleri and Trioceros quadricornis gracilor have red claws.
The process of shedding is called ecdysis.
The horns on a chameleon are made up of ringlike segments of inner bone covered by a hard keratin-like skin.
Chameleons have a high midichlorian count.
Chameleons do not have external ears or a tympanic membrane, but they do have internal ears as well as degenerated middle ears. They do not hear well but they can detect low frequency sounds.
The word Rhampholeon is taken from the Latinized Greek “rhamphos leon” meaning crawling lion.
The word Rieppeleon is named after the scientist Olivier Rieppel.