Mary Allen
The chameleon is a reptile, a crawling animal. The name comes from Greek and means “earth lion”. There are over 200 different types. The smallest is shorter than a human thumb, while the largest grows up to 68 centimeters in length. Most chameleons are endangered. So you have to be careful that they don’t die out.
The chameleons live in Africa, in the south of Europe, in Arabia, and in the south of India. They like warm areas with lots of forests because they live on trees and in bushes. There they find the insects they like to eat. They also sometimes eat small birds or other chameleons.
Chameleons’ eyes are particularly mobile and protrude from the head. Both eyes see different things. This gives you an almost all-around view. In addition, chameleons see very clearly, even if something is far away. They can flick their long, sticky tongue toward prey. The prey then sticks to it or, more precisely, sticks to it.
The chameleon is best known for being able to change color. It does this to communicate something to other chameleons. In addition, the chameleon darkens when it is cold: This allows it to better absorb the heat from light. When it’s warm, the animal gets lighter so that the sun’s rays bounce off it.
Chameleons reproduce by eggs like all reptiles. After mating, it takes about four weeks for the eggs to be ready. At one time there are five to 35 pieces. Once the eggs are laid, it can take up to two months for the young to hatch. In cold areas, there are also young chameleons that hatch from the egg in the womb and are only then born.