Wildlife
Chameleons are famed for their ability to change colour, though not all species can. In a few types, the colour change is used as camouflage, but in most it is actually a form of communication. When not 'talking' to potential mates or warning off rivals, these chameleons will revert to a default colour that merges with their habitat - green for a jungle species, beige for a desert one.
Scientific name: Chamaeleonidae
Rank: Family
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Keeping cool
The Namaqua chameleon has developed an ingenious tactic to avoid the heat of the desert.
The Namaqua chameleon has developed an ingenious tactic to avoid the heat of the Namib desert.
Look out lizard
The humble chameleon has long been feared by Malagasy people.
The humble chameleon has long been feared by Malagasy people.
Clinging chameleons
A chameleon has a pincer-like grip and sharp claws.
Chameleons are not difficult to catch, providing you can get near them. David Attenborough climbs high into a tree to track one down. Chameleons have a strong grip with their toes and their tails. They can hang on with hind legs and tail alone.
Leaf litter living
The pygmy leaf chameleon - a perfect miniature and the smallest chameleon.
The pygmy leaf chameleon - a perfect miniature and the smallest chameleon.
Blink and you'll miss it
One of the fastest tongues in the animal kingdom - the chameleon.
One of the fastest tongues in the animal kingdom - the chameleon.
The shading illustrates the diversity of this group - the darker the colour the greater the number of species. Data provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Chameleons can be found in a number of locations including: Africa, Madagascar. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
Chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of lizards. The approximately 160 species of chameleon come in a range of colors, including pink, blue, red, orange, turquoise, yellow, and green. They are distinguished by their zygodactylous feet; their separately mobile, stereoscopic eyes; their very long, highly modified, rapidly extrudable tongues; their swaying gait; and crests or horns on their distinctively shaped heads. Some species can change color, and many have a prehensile tail. Uniquely adapted for climbing and visual hunting, they are found in warm habitats that vary from rain forest to desert conditions—in Africa, Madagascar, and southern Europe, and across south Asia as far as Sri Lanka. They have also been introduced to Hawaii, California, and Florida, and are often kept as household pets.
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