CHAMELEONOLOGY: 

Why The Hornworms Are Blue And Not Green?

In his 2020 paper published in Archaius (1(1): 1–3), Petr Nečas introduces a previously undocumented defensive behavior in chameleons: tongue punching. Traditionally, the ballistic tongue of chameleons has been studied almost exclusively in the context of prey capture—an extraordinary adaptation for precision feeding. However, Nečas presents...

Trioceros harennae, the Harenna hornless chameleon, is a high-altitude specialist endemic to Ethiopia's Bale Mountains. First described by Largen in 1995, this species is found exclusively in the misty forests and shrublands of the Harenna escarpment, typically between 2,400 and 3,300 meters elevation.

If Muhammad Ali floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee, then the chameleon tongue is nature's answer to a spring-loaded uppercut—silent, sticky, and faster than your neurons can scream "duck!"

A recent online debate in one US-based chameleon community (identity unrevealed for colleagial and ethical reasons) spiraled into what can only be described as reptilian math madness. The question: if a chameleon were scaled up to human height, how much would it weigh?

A short communication compiles seven confirmed cases of avian predation on the Indian chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus) between 2012 and 2023, based on field observations from India and Sri Lanka. All records involve C. zeylanicus as prey, highlighting its vulnerability to a diverse range of bird species.

Sagi and Bouskila (2025) present the first documented case of yearly allochrony in a terrestrial vertebrate, focusing on the annual chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon musae in the Negev desert. Allochrony refers to reproductive isolation caused by differences in timing, and while it has been observed in marine and insect taxa, it had not previously...

A two-year field study conducted in the fragmented littoral forests of Sainte Luce, southeastern Madagascar, documented 76 species of amphibians and reptiles:

THE MOST ACTUAL AND EXCLUSIVE MATERIALS ON HERPETOLOGY & HERPEOCULTURE-RELATED CREATIVE FOR YOUR ATTENTION!THE NEW RESULT OF RHF INTERNATIONAL TEAM COLLABORATION REPRESENTING AUTORS + EDITORS FROM 5/6 CONTINENTS!Featuring in this issue…Discover Sri Lanka's herpetofauna with @Udaya Chanaka.@Lee Warren from @Millenium Reptiles shares in-situ...

In a study published in the Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Sciences (2025), researcher Gokhan Eren documents the first known case of Hyalomma aegyptium tick infestation on the Mediterranean chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) in Türkiye. This discovery marks a novel host-parasite relationship and expands the known host range of Hy. aegyptium, a tick...

In their 2022 study published in Zoological and Entomological Letters, Kouadio Atta Léonard and colleagues confirmed the presence of seven lizard species in Taï National Park, southwestern Côte d'Ivoire—including the first documented occurrence of the graceful chameleon (Chamaeleo gracilis) in this protected area.

A study documents a significant range extension for the endangered chameleon species Calumma vencesi, previously known only from three localities in northeastern Madagascar. The research team conducted nocturnal surveys in Sorata Forest, part of the COMATSA Nord Natural Resources Reserve, and recorded eight individuals of C. vencesi, marking the...

Calumma uetzi is one of Madagascar's most recently described and least-known chameleons. Officially named in 2018 by Prötzel, Vences, Hawlitschek, Scherz, Ratsoavina, and Glaw, the species honors Peter Uetz, founder of the Reptile Database. It belongs to the Calumma nasutum group, characterized by a soft, unpaired rostral appendage and small...

Calumma peyrierasi is one of the rarest and least-documented chameleons in Madagascar. First described in 1974 by Brygoo, Blanc, and Domergue, this species was discovered in the misty highlands of the Marojejy mountains, at elevations between 1900–2000 meters. Named in honor of André Peyriéras, a French entomologist who contributed extensively...

For decades, I have preached against the dangerous practice of transporting chameleons in cotton bags, akin to how snakes are handled. This widespread method used by many causes significant harm to these sensitive reptiles, resulting in terrible damage and suffering that often leads to slow and painful death.

Exotics Keeper Magazine, 10th July 2020

The Diversity of Life on Earth Premium Panther Chameleon Ambilobe Red Ver.

The image labeled "REPTILES – PLATE 3" comes from:

This plate is part of the zoological section of the encyclopedia and reflects late 19th-century German scientific taxonomy. Brockhaus' Konversations-Lexikon was one of the most authoritative general encyclopedias of its time, widely used in academic and educated households across the German-speaking world.

The image you shared comes from "Dictionnaire Universel d'Histoire Naturelle" edited by Charles d'Orbigny, a monumental French natural history encyclopedia published between 1839 and 1849 in Paris.

Norbertine Bresslern-Roth - Chameleons (circa 1930) - 17" x 22" Fine Art Print

The Zoo Chameleon London Vintage Travel Poster Fine Art Print | Home Deco

Mathurin Méheut (1882–1956) Signed on the board On icy parchment, approximately 24 × 30 cm visible area, toned Presented under the publisher's matting, 34 × 44 cm

Hand coloured copper engraving.

A case study explores the social ripple effects of invasive panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) in suburban Florida. While most research on invasive species focuses on ecological damage, this study zooms in on the human side—how people react when exotic lizards start showing up in their backyards and collectors start prowling the streets.

Popular belief has long held that chameleons possess a magical ability to instantly blend into any environment, adapting their appearance to match leaves, bark, or even patterns on manmade objects. Yet, in a groundbreaking study published in Biology Letters on August 6, 2025, a team of researchers—Tom Major, Alexia C. M. Hesten, Jan Stipala,...

South Africa's reptiles, including its iconic chameleons, are facing mounting threats—but there's a glimmer of hope. A recent conservation assessment reveals that over 20% of reptile species globally are at risk of extinction, with African chameleons among the most vulnerable. These masters of camouflage are not just ecological marvels—they're also...

In the world of cinema, some actors don't just play roles—they vanish into them. Dubbed "human chameleons," these performers possess an uncanny ability to transform physically, emotionally, and psychologically, often to the point of being unrecognizable. The MSN feature celebrates Hollywood's most versatile talents, spotlighting figures like...

Led by Hajaniaina Rasoloarison, this initiative focuses on safeguarding the unique chameleon species of southwestern Madagascar's dry and spiny ecosystems. Most of these reptiles are critically endangered or poorly studied, facing threats like deforestation, bushfires, mining, and climate change.

In May 2025, a team of researchers in southwest Madagascar made a remarkable discovery: four individuals of the critically endangered Belalanda chameleon (Furcifer belalandaensis) were found just five kilometers outside their known habitat. Previously thought to inhabit only a tiny 4 km² area near the village of Belalanda, this species is...