There are around 180 species of chameleons living in trees across the world. Some can change the color of their skin. Popular species include Chamaeleo calyptratus, Chamaeleo jacksonii, Furcifer pardalis, Rampholeon brevicaudatus, and Rhampholeon spectrum. Today, some chameleons are also kept as pets, Carpet, Flap-necked, and Jackson's chameleon are common pet choices.
The most amazing feature of a chameleon is its ability to change color. It also has sharp claws that grip branches tightly while climbing. Each eye can move on its own, in different directions at the same time. This gives the chameleon a full 360° view of everything around it. We often think chameleons change color to hide, but they mostly do it to send signals to other chameleons or to warm up or cool down. These clever features make chameleons one of the most impressive hunters in the reptile world.
Panther Chameleon
- Family
- Chamaeleonidae
- Binomial Name
- Furcifer pardalis
- Distribution
- Northern and Eastern Madagascar
- Diet
- Crickets, beetle larva, grasshoppers, meal worms, wax worms
The Panther Chameleon is one of the most colorful lizards on Earth. Males grow to around 20 inches long, while females are a little smaller at about 17 inches. Males are much more brightly colored than females. If a female has already laid eggs (or is about to) she turns dark brown or black. This is her way of telling males she is not interested in mating. A Panther Chameleon lives for about 10 years. Females that have laid eggs many times usually live for just 2-3 years after.
Fischer's Chameleon
- Family
- Chamaeleonidae
- Binomial Name
- Kinyongia fischeri
- Distribution
- Nguru, Tanzania
- Diet
- Crickets, roaches, giant meal worms, mice
Fischer's Chameleon males and females look very different from each other. Males are larger (up to 15 inches long) and have an impressive 1-inch horn on their forehead. Females are smaller, reaching just 9-10 inches. People sometimes think females have no horns, but they actually do, theirs are tiny, sticking out only about 1/8 of an inch. This is a tough reptile that thrives in hot, humid conditions. Females lay 10-20 eggs in a clutch. The eggs hatch in around 5-6 months, which is quite fast for a chameleon.
High Casqued Chameleon
- Family
- Chamaeleonidae
- Binomial Name
- Trioceros hoehnelii
- Distribution
- Eastern Africa, Uganda, and Kenya
- Diet
- Small insects and spiders
The High Casqued Chameleon can be many different colors. When it basks in the sun, it often turns dark, dark colors soak up heat more quickly. Males are larger than females. Males have a single horn, a serrated (jagged) back ridge, and tiny spikes on their neck. Females have a wider casque and a broader tail. During mating season, males show off their brightest colors to outshine rivals. After mating, the pair stays together through the breeding season, then splits up once the babies are born. Like other chameleons, this species can shoot its tongue out to the full length of its body to catch insects.
Jackson's Chameleon
- Family
- Chamaeleonidae
- Binomial Name
- Trioceros jacksonii
- Distribution
- Kenya and Tanzania
- Diet
- Small insects
Jackson's Chameleons are medium-sized lizards that can grow up to 12 inches long. Males usually live longer than females. Young chameleons reach maturity in just 5 months. After a pregnancy of 5-6 months, the female gives birth to 8-10 live babies, not eggs! These reptiles are bright green, but they can also show blue or yellow. Like most chameleons, they change color based on their mood, temperature, and how healthy they are feeling.
Test Your Chameleon Knowledge!
5 quick questions on chameleon species, adaptations, and surprising facts.
Meller's Chameleon
- Family
- Chamaeleonidae
- Binomial Name
- Trioceros melleri
- Distribution
- Madagascar
- Diet
- Insects, small lizards, worms, spiders, small birds, caterpillars
Meller's Chameleon is one of the biggest chameleon species. It can grow up to 24 inches long and weigh around 600g. Females are shorter and have smaller crests along their backs. The sides of this chameleon are brown, black, yellow, or dark green, and the body itself is deep green with white stripes. It can shift into different shades of green, black, and other colors. Females lay around 80 eggs in a single clutch, that's a lot! The newborns are about 4 inches long. Meller's Chameleons can live up to 12 years.
Namaqua Desert Chameleon
- Family
- Chamaeleonidae
- Binomial Name
- Chamaeleo namaquensis
- Distribution
- Namib Desert and Southern Angola
- Diet
- Beetles, crickets, lizards, scorpions, small snakes
The Namaqua Chameleon has brilliant desert adaptations that help it survive in one of the world's harshest environments. At night it turns dark to soak up heat, then goes gray during the day to reflect the blazing sun. Females lay 20 eggs, and the eggs take about 100 days to hatch. Because food is hard to find in the desert, the Namaqua is a quick and determined hunter, it does not let prey escape easily. Its main predators are eagles, jackals, and hawks. It can also spread its toes wide to move faster across sandy ground.
Parson's Chameleon
- Family
- Chamaeleonidae
- Binomial Name
- Calumma parsonii
- Distribution
- Eastern and Northern Madagascar
- Diet
- Small insects
Parson's Chameleon is the second largest chameleon species. Its two subspecies reach very different sizes: Calumma parsonii grows up to 27 inches, while Calumma p. cristifer tops out at 19 inches. Females lay just 50 eggs, but only once every two years. The eggs usually take about a year to hatch, though in some cases they can take two full years. As soon as the hatchlings emerge, they are on their own in the wild. Like all chameleons, the tongue is longer than its body. These chameleons are often found near running water. They live for about seven years.
Pygmy Chameleon
- Family
- Chamaeleonidae
- Binomial Name
- Rhampholeon brevicaudatus
- Distribution
- Usambara, Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania
- Diet
- Small insects
Pygmy Chameleons are tiny, only about 3 inches long. They are usually tan or brown, which helps them blend in with their surroundings. When stressed or angry, they darken. They look just like a dry leaf, and often hold that camouflage while sleeping out in the open. Depending on their mood, they can shift to green, orange, black, or brown. Their tongue is longer than their body, letting them snap up small insects. Each eye moves on its own, giving them a wide view of their surroundings. They are also called Bearded Leaf Chameleons or Bearded Pygmy Chameleons, because they have a small "beard" of raised scales under the mouth.
Veiled Chameleon
- Family
- Chamaeleonidae
- Binomial Name
- Chamaeleo calyptratus
- Distribution
- Yemen and Saudi Arabia
- Diet
- Leaves, fruits, and blossoms
The Veiled Chameleon's color is shaped by its surroundings and its mood. It is naturally green, but can shift to dark lime or red with a change in mood or environment. Males grow spurs on their back legs as they get older. Both males and females have the distinctive casque (helmet) on their head. Males are much bigger (up to 24 inches) while females grow to about 12 inches. During mating season, males show off vivid colors to attract females and warn off rivals. Females lay anywhere from 20 to 70 eggs in a clutch.
Chameleons are remarkable reptiles. Their ability to change color based on mood and temperature sets them apart from almost every other animal. They are skilled hunters that live mostly alone, moving slowly and waiting patiently for prey to come close. Many kinds of chameleons have become popular as exotic pets, but these are wild animals at heart. Anyone who keeps one must create an environment as close to its natural habitat as possible, to keep it healthy and help it live a long life.
Explore More Animals
Different Types of Lizards: A Field Guide to 26 FamiliesMeet 26 families of lizards - agamas, geckos, chameleons, iguanas, Komodo dragons and more - with photos, where they live, what they eat, and one amazing fact f
Types of Frogs and Toads: A Complete Picture GuideFrom the tiny Paedophryne to the giant goliath frog, discover all the main types of frogs and toads, with pictures, quick facts, and a quiz for kids.
Jungle Animals ListAn A-to-Z list of jungle animals for kids: mammals, birds, insects, arthropods and reptiles that live in the world's jungles, each with a photo and fun facts.
List of Animals With Protective ArmorA kid-friendly list of animals with protective armor: turtles, snails, crabs, scorpions, spiny lizards, hedgehogs, porcupines, armadillos, pangolins, crocodiles
Fun fact for today!Chameleons don't change color mainly for camouflage, they do it to communicate and control their body temperature!