Chameleons are beautiful creatures in various sizes, shapes, and colors.
There are many different types of chameleons worldwide, with over 200 species.
Some are kept as pets, while the majority are in the wild. Those kept as pets require special care and attention to be happy and healthy.
Chameleons belong to the family Chamaeleonidae. They like to live in warm, tropical regions. Hence, most species live in Madagascar and Africa.
Some species are found in the Middle East, while a few can be found on the islands in the Indian Ocean.
One species -the Indian chameleon, can be found in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Another species, -the common chameleon, hails from Spain, Portugal, and the islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
Chameleons are not only beautiful but also mysterious creatures.
Some chameleons have mysterious looks about them because of the crests on their brow and snout resembling a dinosaur.
Some people consider this old-world creature mysterious because of certain factors. Let’s look at some of these factors.
Some Unique Attributes of Chameleon
a. Capability of Changing Color
One of the most astonishing factors about these creatures is their ability to change the color of their skin. All the different types of chameleons are capable of doing this.
Although this mechanism is an adaptation technique to camouflage and blend to evade predators, it also signals a chameleon’s physiological condition and intent toward other chameleons.
For example, their mood, social signaling (e.g., the female chameleon changes colors based on their reception of a mate), changes in light or temperature, or the humidity of their environment.
b. Independent Mobile Eyes
They have the most distinctive eyes among the various reptiles. They can move their eyes separately, meaning they can see 360 degrees if needed.
This mysterious fact means they can see predators coming from behind them, giving them a chance to escape.
c. Long Tongue
A chameleon’s tongue can be as long as its body; some chameleons’ tongues can be twice the length of their body. Their tongue consists of muscles and bones, which they can bend around to grab their prey.
d. Astonishing Feet and Tail
Chameleons have zygodactylous feet that somehow resemble the functions of human hands (opposable digits on the front and back feet).
For the tail, most chameleon species have a prehensile tail. For this reason, the chameleon’s tail cannot be broken off and regrown like many other lizards.
These are some of the mysterious and exciting facts about this gorgeous creature. Now, let us look at some of the different types of chameleons.
Different Types of Chameleons
1. Four-Horned Chameleon
The four-horned chameleon with the scientific moniker –Trioceros quadricornis is native to the mountainous rainforests of Cameroon in Central Africa. This is among the different types of chameleons.
Just as its name suggests, it has four protruding horns. It also has a distinctive scaly “beard,” large crest, and sail fin. The scaly beard accounts for why this chameleon is called the Cameroonian beard.
They are highly sensitive, challenging to look after, require high humidity, and are susceptible to dehydration. However, once their needs are met, they are a hardy species worth keeping.
The chameleon grows 10-14 inches and can live up to 5 years. The colors of the four-horned chameleon are muted, unlike other chameleons. It comes in natural shades of red and yellow, sometimes displaying purple, blue, or orange tones.
Keeping them as pets may be difficult for beginners because they are sensitive to high temperatures and low humidity. Once their basic environmental needs are met, they become malleable.
2. Veiled Chameleon
The veiled chameleon, classified scientifically as Chamaeleo calyptratus, is quite popular and known for the helmet-like crown on its head and beautiful colors.
This chameleon is native to Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula; no wonder they are also called Yemen Chameleons.
The ‘casque’ (helmet-like crown on their heads shaped like a cone) is more extensive in males than females.
Veiled chameleons grow to 10 – 24 inches and can live up to 5 years. Their body has beautiful, vivid patterning. They are primarily green but often have vertical yellow, brown, or pale blue stripes.
This species makes great pets, too, but they are not as easy to handle as the panther chameleon because they don’t like to be held.
Veiled chameleons are hardy, tolerate a decent range of temperatures, and will thermoregulate whenever they need adjusting. They are insectivores and a voracious eater.
3. Jackson Chameleon
The Jackson Chameleon, known scientifically as Trioceros jacksonii, is also one of the different chameleons to be examined here. This species hails from Kenya and Tanzania in Eastern Africa.
The generic name- Trioceros, derived from the Greek τρί- (tri-) meaning “three” and κέρας (kéras) meaning “horns,” is quite evident in its appearance.
This species has three horns, which is why they are sometimes called three-horned chameleons.
Apart from the horns, these chameleons have thick, spiny ridges along the back. The males are more colorful than the females. This species is primarily green, but you may also see splashes of blue or yellow.
They are calm and make lovely pets. They should be handled with care, though.
4. Panther Chameleon
Panther Chameleon is known scientifically as Furcifer pardalis, and they are one of the most popular among the different types of Chameleons. Their popularity stems from their beautiful color pattern and ease of handling as a pet.
Endemic to the island of Madagascar off the coast of Africa, these chameleons are on the large side and can grow up to 20 inches. The males have ridges along each side of the head and grow larger than females.
The males measure 12-20 and the females 8-14, with a 2-3 years lifespan. However, they can live up to 7 years with proper care as a pet.
Considered quite colorful, these lizards change their color to communicate with one another and absorb radiant heat.
They can be just about any color, from green to yellow to neon blue and anything in between; the males are more colorful than the females.
Panther chameleons change colors dramatically when facing a rival male, while the female generally has softer hues when ready for breeding.
They have a calmer disposition than veiled chameleons, making them relatively easy to care for as pets and most tolerant of handling and interaction.
This species also has good memory recall, can quickly memorize feeding schedules, and recognize their owners.
They are insectivores, and their diet mainly consists of various animals like waxworms, grasshoppers, roaches, flies, crickets, mealworms, bees, beetles, and other small insects.
5. Pygmy Chameleon
The botanical name is Pygmy Chameleon- Rhampoleon sp. Just as their name suggests, pygmy chameleons are tiny. They are one of the smallest among the different types of chameleons. Most adults grow up to 3.5 inches at most.
The Pygmy chameleons can be found in the forests, woodlands, thickets, and savannas of central East Africa.
Apart from their size, this chameleon has short, stumpy tails, unlike most chameleons with long, prehensile tails to help with climbing and living in trees.
The Pygmy chameleons spend a significant portion of their time in leaf litter; hence, they do not need long prehensile tails to grip tree branches.
They do not have the bright colors of most chameleons either. They have muted colors like browns and greys that let them blend in with the forest floor.
Pygmy chameleons are lovely pets to keep, too. They are non-aggressive, tolerate the company reasonably well, and can be kept in groups.
6. Carpet Chameleon
The Carpet Chameleon (Furcifer lateralis) is native to the forests of Madagascar, which are lush with vegetation.
They are widespread and live in many habitats, like deserts, rainforests, and high altitudes. The Carpet Chameleon gets its name from the unique markings all over its body, which consist of spots, stripes, and circles that resemble oriental carpets.
They are also known as the Jeweled Chameleon or White-Lined Chameleon. They are beautiful, but the females here are more ornate than males (which is unusual in the animal world), especially when they are gravid.
The males of this species are usually green, while females can have patterns in green, white, yellow, orange, and red. They also have stripes on their throats and darker spots on their sides.
This species is a little small compared to other pet chameleon species. The adults average only 4 inches snout to vent, but some can grow between 6-10 inches.
It has a lifespan of 2- 3 years but can live longer. Here, it would take great care, luck, and genetics for them to live longer than that.
Carpet chameleons are easy to care for and have no special requirements. A good diet of insects keeps them well-fed as a pet. They tend to be shy and easily stressed, though. So, proper care and an excellent habitat are necessary to keep them healthy.
7. Meller Chameleon
The Meller Chameleon, classified as Trioceros melleri, is not just among the different types of chameleons but the largest chameleon outside of Madagascar, growing up to two feet long. They hail from the mountains of the East African countries of Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
They grow up to 24 inches long; specimens as large as 30 inches have also been documented. They grow big enough in the wild to eat insects and small birds. They have a long life span and can live up to 7 years.
Their enormous size is not their only distinct attribute; they have horns, too. But, unlike the Jackson chameleon with three horns, they have a single, small horn on the tip of their snout.
Hence, they are also known as the “giant one-horned chameleon.” They also have a signature scalloped ridge on the back and a stubby nose-like growth on their face.
This species is beautifully colored in lovely deep green, yellow, or even black spots or bands with a base color of forest green with white stripes.
Like most chameleons, they also change their color according to the circumstances. These lizards take on bright yellow and green shades when happy and healthy. It dulls its color or develops black spots when it feels anxious or threatened.
Keeping them as pets can be challenging due to their size, sensitive hydration, and humidity needs. They can be pretty aggressive and don’t do well when placed with other lizards.
Hence, they are best left to be handled by experts. Nevertheless, their looks and behavior make them fun to observe.
8. Oustalet Chameleon
Oustalet Chameleon, known by the botanical moniker- Furcifer Oustaleti, is one of the largest chameleons next to the Parson’s species among the different chameleons.
This accounts for why they are also known as the Madagascar giant chameleon. These chameleons are primarily sedentary in the wild, staying still to evade predators, and are endemic to Madagascar.
They can be found in dry areas like deciduous forests, moist places like evergreen forests, high and low elevations, and even agricultural land.
These chameleons have a prominent spinal ridge from the back of their neck to their tail and a dorsal spine from the snout to the eyes.
They appear in grey or brown colors with dark vertical bands along the body. Females can appear in shades of green, yellow, and even red coloration on the head and limbs.
Contrary to their large size, these species are docile in temperament. Keeping them as pets can be pretty challenging due to their environmental needs. Nevertheless, once their needs are met, it becomes pretty easy to handle them.
They are omnivorous, with a suction-cup-tipped tongue almost as long as their body. They feed on insects, some fruits, and occasionally small birds.
9. Fischer Chameleon
This is considered one of the rarest species among the different types of chameleons. They are known by the scientific name Kinyongia fischeri ssp.
Fischer Chameleons are native to the Nguu mountain ranges of Tanzania. They have a 3-5 years lifespan and are on the small side, with the adult height at 11 inches.
Fischer chameleon is also called Monkey-Tailed Chameleons because of their very long tails. One distinct attribute of this species is the two horns on their nose covered in bumpy scales, known as tubercles.
They also have tall, rounded backs and a soft spiked spine. These lizards take on a bright green color with patches of yellow and black. Accompanying the base color are vertical white stripes.
As a pet, they are timid and docile. They are easy to care for, with no special requirements; a green environment that imitates their natural habitat will do just fine.
Their docile nature, however, does not apply to housing two males together. The males will fight if housed together.
10. Senegal Chameleon
The technical name of this species is Chamaeleo senegalensis, which is popular among the different types of chameleons in the pet world due to its timid temperament and size.
They are bigger than Pygmies but smaller than species like the Panther. The Senegal chameleon is native to West Africa. Its range includes Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
You can’t find them in the lush rainforests of West Africa but in moist savannas. They’re used to more sun exposure and grassy environments.
They stay hydrated here by drinking off wet leaves and taking advantage of the moisture in the air. Being on the small side, they reach a maximum length of about eight inches and have a lifespan of 5years.
The Senegal chameleon has joined toes, conical eyes, and a long tongue. Its unique feature apart from size is its small neck flap and attractive color.
The chameleon has beautiful neon green colors; some may take on a gray or bluish tone. Keeping them as pets requires providing the ideal environment and diet.
Once this is done, caring for them becomes easy since they have a calm temperament. But then, like most chameleons, they tolerate a lot of handling.
