5 Interesting Facts About Chameleons

1. They don’t all change color to match their surroundings.

Most of them actually change color based upon their mood or to adjust to the temperature, such as turning themselves into a darker color to attract more heat. So think of their color as more of a vibrant facial expression, which is convenient because if they turn an angry red you know they’re pissed off.

2. They can change color very quickly.

In as little as twenty seconds! That’s quicker than uploading a Facebook status.

3. Most of them live in Madagascar.

Around half of the world’s species of chameleons can be found in Madagascar. For some of the species there that is the only place you can find them in the entire world. Why there weren’t more chameleons featured in the movie Madagascar I’m not really sure, but it’s probably the eyes because those tend to freak people out.

4. They have 360-degree vision.

Yes those big bug-eyes rotate 180 degrees each, so they can see on all sides of them. So they are always watching.

5. They have ginormous tongues

Their tongues are actually twice their body length and can catch a bug in midair in as little as .07 seconds. How they store these tongues into their bodies is a story that I do not want to find out.