Suborder Iguania Subfamily Chamaeleoninae Lifespan Veiled chameleon: 5 years Phylum Chordata | Family Chamaeleonidae Scientific name Chamaeleo Higher classification Chameleons Rank Genus | |
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Length Veiled chameleon: 35 – 45 cm Lower classifications | ||
Modern reptile tribute four chamaeleo melleri giant one horned chameleon lizard
Chamaeleo is a genus of chameleons found primarily in the mainland of sub-saharan Africa, but a few species are also present in northern Africa, southern Europe and southern Asia east to India and Sri Lanka.
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Description
They are slow moving with independently movable eyes, the ability to change skin colouration, long tongue, usually a prehensile tail, and special leg adaptations for grasping vegetation. Males are generally larger and more colorful than females. Almost all species have a maximum snout-vent length (SVL) between 15 and 40 centimetres (5.9 and 15.7 in).
Behavior
The vast majority are arboreal and typically found in trees or bushes, but a few species (notably the Namaqua Chameleon) are partially or largely terrestrial.
Reproduction
The genus includes only oviparous species.
In captivity
With few exceptions, the chameleons most commonly seen in captivity are all members of Chamaeleo, notably the common, Senegal and veiled chameleons, but even they require special care.
Taxonomy
Chamaeleo is the type genus of the family Chamaeleonidae.
All other genera of the subfamily Chamaeleoninae (Bradypodion, Calumma, Furcifer, Kinyongia, Nadzikambia and Trioceros) have at some point been included in the genus Chamaeleo, but are now regarded as separate by virtually all authorities.
Species
14 species are recognized as being valid, and subspecies are recognized for some species.
Nota bene: A binomial authority or trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species or subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Chamaeleo.