Name

Chamaeleo chamaeleon

common chameleon

Framing

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Suborder: Lacertilia

Family: Chamaeleonidae

Genus: Chamaeleo

Species: chamaeleon

Habitat

Terrestrial. In crop vegetation, broom and anthropised environments in coastal areas.

Feeding

Insectivore.

Distribution

Mediterranean. In the Iberian Peninsula it is only present in the extreme south.

Conservation status

Near threatened in Spain.

Additional information

Laterally compressed body. Capable of changing colour according to circumstances. Very large head with a dorsal crest. Eyelids almost completely cover the eyes leaving a small opening. Eyes with independent movement. Fingers fused (two on one side and three on the other) forming a kind of claw. Long prehensile tail. Long tongue which can project considerably outwards from the mouth.