Chamaeleo


Chamaeleo is a genus of chameleons in the family Chamaeleonidae. Most species of the genus Chamaeleo are found in sub-Saharan Africa, but a few species are also present in northern Africa, southern Europe, and southern Asia east to India and Sri Lanka.

Description

Species in the genus Chamaeleo are slow moving, with independently movable eyes, the ability to change skin colouration, a 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 between.

Behavior

The vast majority of Chamaeleo species are arboreal and typically found in trees or bushes, but a few species are partially or largely terrestrial.

Reproduction

The genus Chamaeleo includes only oviparous species.

In captivity

With few exceptions, the chameleons most commonly seen in captivity are all members of the genus 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 have at some point been included in the genus Chamaeleo, but are now regarded as separate genera 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.