The true chameleons occur in Africa and Madagascar, with a few species extending into the Middle East, Asia, and Southern Europe, with populations on many islands. There are about 150 species in five genera with about half of them inhabiting Madagascar. These are highly derived lizards that have the ability to rotate their eyes, project their tongue to capture prey, change colors, grasp branches with opposable fused digits, and most have a prehensile tail. They range in size from the dwarf (30 mm) to the giant (600 mm) and they all have laterally compressed bodies. Insect prey is ambushed by these cryptic and slow moving lizards. Walter Rose wrote about natural hazards faced by chameleons in his 1962 book The Reptiles and Amphibians of Southern Africa:
"Tree snakes must be accounted amongst the chameleon's chief enemies and many are devoured by birds. A single butcher bird will decimate the inhabitants of a garden in a very short time, picking off the youngsters and stunning the larger ones by a sharp peck in the centre of the forehead. That a chameleon's life is not devoid of other somewhat unexpected risks was shown by a photograph that appeared in the Cape Times (October, 1936) of a chameleon that had perished miserably through having got its tongue hooked on to thorn of a rose bush, by which it was hanging when discovered."
African Leaf Chameleon, Rieppeleon sp. This specimen was in the pet trade and is probably R. brevicaudatus Matschie, 1892. Until recently this species was in the genus Rhampholeon. These tiny lizards are terrestrial and appear to have evolved from an ancestor in Madagascar that dispersed to Africa. R. brevicaudatus is from coastal Tanzanian where it lives in the leaf litter of evergreen rainforests. Like some other chameleons it appears to use vibrations to communicate threats.
The Veiled Chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus Dumeril and Bibron, 1851. Photograph of a captive animal. It ranges from the southwestern coastal regions of Saudi Arabia and western Yemen. Adult males can reach 620 mm in total length; females attain about 450 mm in total length. Habitats used include the river valleys and agricultural lands of this otherwise arid region. This species may have recently been introduced to the Hawaiian islands of Oahu and Maui, and it may pose a threat to some bird populations because of its large size. It has also been introduced into Fort Meyers, Florida. Veiled Chameleons are herbivorous and will feed on plant mater, unlike most of its relatives. Females are known to lay clutches of 30-80 eggs that require 6-8 months of incubation. Below is a photo of a young C. calyptratus.
Fischer's Chameleon or Two Horned Chameleon, Bradypodion fischeri (Reinchenow, 1895). This is a medium sized chameleon with males reaching 400 mm and females somewhat smaller, reaching about 300 mm. It lives at the forest edge between 800-1700 m above sea level. The species is polytypic.
The Graceful Chameleon, Chamaeleo gracilis Halowell, 1842. Photographs of captives. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan and equatorial Africa where it inhabits dry and wet forests and savanna habitats, but it is primarily a forest edge-species. It usually is found less than a meter above the ground, and may often be on the ground. It also appears to have been introduced into Palm City, Florida, USA. Females lay 1-2 clutches per year with 20-40 eggs per clutch. Sexual maturity may be reached in 4-5 months. Adult maximum size is about 300 mm with males being smaller than females
Meller’s Chameleon, Chamaeleo melleri, Gray, 1864. Photograph of a captive animal. This is the largest Africa chameleon. It occurs in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. Adults are 457-609 mm in length, and weigh 225-450 g. They use woodlands from sea level to 1500 m. Meller’s Chameleons inhabit the forest canopy to heights of 10 m or more. Females lay 25-90 eggs in a shallow nest, and the incubation time is 140-180 days. It large size makes it popular in the pet trade. The photo below is a juvenile C. melleri.
Cameroon Sailfin Chameleon, Chamaeleo montium Buchholz, 1874. This species inhabits cloud forests between 500-1200 m ASL. These forests are humid, and have a rainy season. Males reach 250 mm, females are smaller at a maximum of 200 mm. And, females lack the rostral horns.
Furcifer oustaleti (Mocquard, 1894) is a large species (possibly the largest) with males reaching at least 685 mm in total length (rumors of it reaching 800 mm persist). It is widespread in Madagascar and adapated to the xeric environments of southern Madagascar as well as mesic highlands and coastal regions. It is most likely a forest edge species since it is uncommon in rainforests and abundant in disturbed vegetation. Female's produce large clucthes of eggs, up to 61 eggs are known.
Panther Chameleon, Furcifer pardalis Cuiver, 1828. Photographs of captive bred animals. The Panther Chameleon is endemic to the warm and humid coastal lowlands and islands and coastal regions of northern Madagascar and it has also been introduced to the Indian Ocean islands of Reunion and Mauritius as well as neighboring islands, it is possible that these introductions did not involve humans, but natural dispersal events across the ocean. Reproduction occurs in the spring (October-March), with some populations probably breeding year round. Sexual maturity is reached in five months, females may lay 12-45 eggs, and as many as 4-6 clutches per year, but 2-3 is typical. Incubation is 6-12 months. The bottom photo shows an indivudal shedding its skin.
Mount Lefo Chameleon, Chamaeleo wiedersheimi Nieden, 1910. Inhabits rainforests of the Cameroons and Nigeria. This is a small species 120-178 mm, that is commonly sold in pet shops as the peacock chameleon. It is easily dehydrated and needs a good supply of water. Females lay clutches of 3-8 eggs that have a relatively long incubation time, 5-8 months.
