chamaeleon

Chamaeleon is a common name for the family Chamaeleonidae, a diverse group of lizards adapted to arboreal life. The family contains more than 150 species, distributed mainly across Africa and Madagascar, with a few species occurring on the Arabian Peninsula. They inhabit a variety of environments, from tropical forests and savannas to scrub and mountainous regions, often favoring trees and shrubs.

A defining feature of chameleons is their physical adaptations for an arboreal lifestyle. They have elongated bodies, protruding eyes that can move independently, and a long, sticky tongue used to capture prey at a distance. Most species possess zygodactylous feet, arranged in grasping groups, and many have a prehensile tail for gripping branches. Their skin contains pigment cells called chromatophores, which enable rapid color changes. Color variation is used for camouflage, social signaling, and temperature regulation, and patterns can differ by species, mood, and environment.

Chameleons are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a range of insects and other small prey. They are generally slow-moving and rely on ambush strategies rather than active chasing. Reproduction patterns vary by species; most lay eggs, while a minority give birth to live young. Incubation periods depend on species and environmental conditions.

Conservation status varies widely among species. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and collection for the pet trade threaten several chameleons, and many are listed under international trade controls such as CITES. Taxonomically, chameleons belong to the order Squamata, with several genera including Chamaeleo, Trioceros, Furcifer, Bradypodion, and Calumma. Notable species include the panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) and the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus).