Chameleons are lizards; members of the reptile family (Chamaeleontidae). Their best
known characteristic is the ability to change the color of their skin. They cannot match any color background. Their length ranges from 1-1/2 inches to 2 feet. The eyes are independently movable.
Chameleons can live for as long as 10 years, and they can have between 8 - 50 babies at a time. The incubation period is about three months. They are developed enough at one year old to start having babies.
Most chameleons live in trees or bushes and only go down to the ground to move from tree to tree or when laying eggs. Some bear live young. They feed on insects and have a remarkable tongue that can project outward sometimes as long as their body length to snatch prey. The tongue is a tubular stalk upon which the club-shaped end sits. The tongue tip is covered with a sticky secretion that is used to snare its prey. The tail is a grasping organ.
Chameleons are usually solitary animals and prefer their own company to others. The only time they really come together is for mating.
The Chameleon is found in Eastern Africa and Madagascar.
This is Rainbow the chameleon Beanie Baby in its various forms. Also the blue chameleon at top is from Wild Republic. The Jackson's Chameleon (Chamaeloeo jacksonii) lives in East Africa, in Kenya and Tanzania. They live in trees and rarely venture to the ground except to lay eggs or mate. They are solitary creatures and prefer to live alone.
Males possess three horns. Not all females have horns.Females are often larger than the males. The average size is between 9 and 24 inches long. As with all chameleons, they have a prehensile tail and clawed feet with short necks. Chameleons have independently focusing eyes. Built on turrets, they can move in different directions, giving them 360 degree vision. Their diet consists of insects, worms and various other invertebrates. Some species even eat other lizards and small birds.
Jackson's chameleons reach maturity at nine months. They are ovoviviparous, meaning they develop within eggs that remain within the mother's body up until they hatch or are about to hatch. The average clutch size is about 20.They drink water by licking raindrops off leaves.
The male Jackson can be aggressive when defending his terrirory (branch) or a mate. He uses his horns in a shoving contest to chase any contestant away. There are rarely injuries in these jousting contests.
Chameleons are slow movers and depend on their protective coloration for defense. They are masters of camouflage and can vary their skin pigments, thus able to change their color and patterns.
They are not threatened with extinction. Predators include birds of prey and snakes. They are considered a long-lived chameleon and can live up to 10 years.The plush Jackson's Chameleon is made by Ganz . Check our Gift Shop to see if there are any in stock.
Leapin' Lizards | Chameleons | Dinosaurs | Flying Dragon
Frilled Lizard | Komodo Dragon
