Article
Article
Chameleon
Article By:
Curtin, Charles B. Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.
Last reviewed:March 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.124300
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The common name for numerous species of small to medium-sized lizards that comprise the family Chamaeleonidae (also Chamaeleontidae). Chameleons (see illustration) are members of the family Chamaeleonidae (also Chamaeleontidae) in the order Squamata (class Reptilia). There are approximately 180 species of chameleons, and they occur mainly in Africa and Madagascar. These reptiles are insectivorous and are commonly found on vegetation, especially the green parts. The American chameleons (Anolis) belong to a different family of lizards—the Dactyloidae. See also: Reptilia; Squamata
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