The chameleon is a small- to medium-sized lizard. It belongs to the family Chamaeleonidae. There are approximately eighty species that can be found in sub-Saharan Africa. The can also be spotted in a few locations in South Asia. The common chameleon, known as Chamaeleo chamaeleon, is found around the Mediterranean area. Chameleons have laterally flattened bodies and bulging, independently rotating eyes on opposite sides of its head. They are variously ornamented with crests, horns, and spines. The toes are united into one bunch on either side of the foot; this forms a pair of grasping tongs that are mainly used for climbing. Chameleons feed on small animals, mainly insects, and they are unique among lizards in that they possess a very long, sticky tongue that they use to capture their prey. Typical chameleons (members of the very large genus Chamaeleo) are arboreal and have long, prehensile tails. They move very slowly, with a rocking movement, holding on to a branch with their feet and tail. The changes in skin color, seen in certain other lizards as well, are under hormonal and nervous control. They are not affected by the color of the background, like many think, but by stimuli such as light, temperature, and emotion. However, the shades of brown, gray, and green assumed by chameleons do generally blend with the forest surroundings. The American chameleon, or anole (also know as Anolis carolinensis), is not a true chameleon, but a small lizard of the iguana family, found in the Southeast of the United States and noted for its color changes. True chameleons are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Reptilia, order Squamata, family Chamaeleonidae.
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