Physical Features
Like the snakes, they have no external ear openings and their hearing is poor.
Their bodies are laterally compressed.
Their skins are rough with small scales that do not overlap.
Adaptations
They have zygodactyl foot structure. This is an adaptation for an arboreal lifestyle.
They cannot shed the prehensile tail.
Chameleons have hollow tongues which they retract onto a spike (i. hyoid horn) in the mouth. When the prey is within reach the Chameleon opens its mouth and the tongue muscles force the tongue out at great speed. The sticky, globular tip of the tongue has a loose piece of skin attached to it which, when the prey is hit, wraps around the target.
They have eyes that protrude and move independently of one another allowing to look for prey whilst watching out for predators at the same time.
They can change the colour of their skin depending on the camouflage required; i. this is done through pigment-producing cells called chromatophores.
During Combat
They will head-butt, inflate their throat pouch, open their mouths to emit a hissing sound and change colour.
Breeding
Most are oviparous. The female and male do not share territories and, only when mating, do they associate with one another.
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