subject: Fun Facts About Chameleons [print this page] Yep, they are the masters of camouflage and are quite interesting kind of reptiles, may be the most interesting species in reptiles! So if you wanna know more about chameleons scroll down to read some of the coolest facts about them!
1. All types of Chameleons cannot change colors!
2. Approximately 160 species of chameleon exist!
3. The English word chameleon (also chamaeleon) derives from Latin chamaele, a borrowing of the Ancient Greek (khamailn) which can be translated to Ground Lion!
4. The foot structure, eyes, tongues and a lack of ears are common in all types of chameleons.
5. Chameleons upper and lower eyelids are joined, with only a pinhole!
6. Chameleons dont have ears and so they are thought to be deaf!
7. Chameleons tongues are very long, almost the length of their body, and they are capable of extending their tongue very fast, that even human eyes cant follow that!
8. Their tongue hits the prey in about 30 thousandths of a second, and the speed is around 26 body lengths per second.
9. Chameleons can see ultra violet light.
And, yes another interesting fact:Its commonly known that a chameleon can change its colors, which is the truth!
However, it is foolish to believe that:A chameleon changes colors to match its environment, this is false!
There is a false opinion that the chameleon changes its color to mimic its environment as a defense against predators. An individual able to shift its behavior in accordance with different persons is compared to a chameleon, but this does not happen with the real animal.
In fact, a chameleon attacked by a predator turns reddish with brown or yellow stripes, as most of the chameleons' predators (snakes, mammals) do not distinguish well the colors.
The chameleon is constantly changing its color according to its emotions, light and temperature.
However, chameleons conceal themselves best where they spend most of their time: in treesmaking it much easier to hunt their prey, whether the prey is resting or in midflight.
Another fun fact is that besides changing colors and patterns, chameleons also talk to each other by flattening themselves sideways to look taller, rocking from side to side, curling and uncurling their tails and opening their mouths.
As for where they can be found: Well, most of them are found in sub-Saharan Africa as well as on the island country of Madagascar. Some are also found in northern Africa, southern Europe, southern India, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, and several smaller islands in the western Indian Ocean. They live in varied habitats, from rainforests to savannas and even deserts.
