About Chameleons

Average Length at Maturity: Male length: “15-27 inches”,  Weight: “6.3 – 7 ounces”. Females length: “10-14 inches”,  Weight: “4.6 – 5 ounces”.
Gestation Period: 30-45 days
Maturity: 1 to 2 years old
Estimated Lifespan: 5 – 10 years
Diet: Crickets, Non poisonous Worms, Cockroaches, Locusts, Indian stick insects and more

In the reptile world, there are some bizarre shapes and colors, but some of the most striking variations are found in the chameleons. These colorful lizards are known for their ability to change their color; their long, sticky tongue; and their eyes, which can be moved independently of each other.

The eyes have it. The chameleon’s eyes are the most distinctive among reptiles. Each eye has a scaly lid shaped like a cone, with only a small, round opening in the middle for the pupil. The chameleon can rotate and focus its eyes separately to look at two different objects at the same time! This gives it a full 360-degree view around its body. When the chameleon sees prey, both eyes can focus in the same direction to get a clearer view.

The skinny on skin. How chameleons change color is a fascinating and complicated process. First of all, they don’t really change color to match their surroundings, and they cannot change to any and all colors. For example, if a chameleon is sitting on a red-and-white polka dot tablecloth, it will not turn red and develop round, white spots! Chameleons don’t look at what they’re sitting on and deliberately decide to match it. Instead, each chameleon species has a group of patterns and colors that it is able to display.

Did you know?

•  – A chameleon’s tongue can be shot out to an extraordinary length: in some types, the tongue is longer than the body.
•  – Chameleons seem to prefer running water to still water.
•  – The name chameleon means earth lion and comes from the Greek words “chamai” (on the ground, on the earth) and “leon” (lion).
•  – Chameleons shed their skin in pieces. How often they shed depends on how quickly they grow.