CHAMELEON

Chameleons are lizards that dwell in trees. They are noted for their ability to change colour in response to light and heat. The range of colours is limited to shades of green, yellow or brown. 

The males often have horns, crests or flaps on their heads. The lizards range in length from less than 7.5 cm to 60cm, depending on the species. They have a long, flattened body and a prehensile tail that serves as an extra limb. The hind foot has two toes on the inside and three on the outside. The forefoot has the opposite arrangement. The chameleon's protruding eyes are almost completely covered by eyelids, leaving only a narrow opening. The eyes can rotate independently in a complete hemisphere. It has a remarkably long, sticky tongue, which darts out to catch insects.

Most species feed on insects, but a few large species eat birds and small rodents. Chameleons develop and hatch their eggs outside the body, but a few species produce living young within the body.