Chameleons or chamaeleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of Old World lizards with 202 species described as of June 2015. source
Chameleons or chamaeleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of Old World lizards with 202 species described as of June 2015.
These species of Chameleons come in a range of colors, and many species have the ability to change color. source
These species of Chameleons come in a range of colors, and many species have the ability to change color.
Chameleons are distinguished by their zygodactylous feet; their very extensive, highly modified, rapidly extrudable tongues. source
Chameleons are distinguished by their zygodactylous feet; their very extensive, highly modified, rapidly extrudable tongues.
Chameleons' eyes are independently mobile, but in aiming at a prey item. source
Chameleons' eyes are independently mobile, but in aiming at a prey item.
Chameleons focus forward in coordination, affording the animal stereoscopic vision. source
Chameleons focus forward in coordination, affording the animal stereoscopic vision.
Chameleons are adapted for climbing and visual hunting. source
Chameleons are adapted for climbing and visual hunting.
Chameleons live in warm habitats that range from rain forest to desert conditions. source
Chameleons live in warm habitats that range from rain forest to desert conditions.
Chameleons have been introduced to Hawaii, California, and Florida, and often are kept as household pets. source
Chameleons have been introduced to Hawaii, California, and Florida, and often are kept as household pets.
The English word chameleon is a simplified spelling of Latin chamaeleōn, a borrowing of the Greek. source
The English word chameleon is a simplified spelling of Latin chamaeleōn, a borrowing of the Greek.
The family Chamaeleonidae was divided into two subfamilies, Brookesiinae and Chamaeleoninae, by Klaver and Böhme in 1986. source
The family Chamaeleonidae was divided into two subfamilies, Brookesiinae and Chamaeleoninae, by Klaver and Böhme in 1986.
Some chameleon species are able to change their skin coloration. source
Some chameleon species are able to change their skin coloration.
Chameleon skin has a superficial layer which contains pigments, and under the layer are cells with guanine crystals. source
Chameleon skin has a superficial layer which contains pigments, and under the layer are cells with guanine crystals.
Color change in chameleons has functions in camouflage, but most commonly in social signaling and in reactions to temperature and other conditions. source
Color change in chameleons has functions in camouflage, but most commonly in social signaling and in reactions to temperature and other conditions.
The oldest known chameleon is Anqingosaurus brevicephalus from the Middle Paleocene (about 58.7–61.7 mya) of China. source
The oldest known chameleon is Anqingosaurus brevicephalus from the Middle Paleocene (about 58.7–61.7 mya) of China.
Chameleons have the most distinctive eyes of any reptile. source
Chameleons have the most distinctive eyes of any reptile.
All chameleons are primarily insectivores that feed by ballistically projecting their long tongues from their mouths to capture prey located some distance away. source
All chameleons are primarily insectivores that feed by ballistically projecting their long tongues from their mouths to capture prey located some distance away.
Chameleons are mostly oviparous, with some being ovoviviparous. source
Chameleons are mostly oviparous, with some being ovoviviparous.