Common chameleons

The common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) is a reptile adapted to life in trees and shrubs, with a flattened body, a gripping tail and pincer-like feet. Its colour can change from green to brown and yellow.

Where does it live?

It lives in parts of southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. In Türkiye it is found in parts of the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, in scrub, gardens and coastal vegetation.

What does it eat?

It is an insectivore that eats grasshoppers, flies, butterflies and other insects. It watches patiently from one spot and catches prey by shooting out its long, sticky-tipped tongue very quickly.

Behaviour and social life

Chameleons live alone and move slowly with a swaying gait that is thought to imitate a leaf moving in the wind. Because their eyes move independently, they can look in two directions at once. Colour change depends on temperature, light, mood and communication with other chameleons.

Young

In autumn, the female lays her eggs in a hole she digs in the ground. The young hatch months later and are independent right away.

Conservation status

The common chameleon is listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. However, coastal development, garden pesticides, traffic and illegal collection threaten some local populations. It is protected in Türkiye and many other countries.

Fun facts

• A chameleon's tongue shoots out in the blink of an eye.
• Colour change happens when the arrangement of microscopic crystals in special skin cells changes.
• Chameleons seen in the wild should be left where they are; they are very hard to keep at home.