Hissing in chameleons is a form of vocalization characterized by a sharp, exhaled sound produced when they force air through their glottis (the opening of the larynx). This sound is created by the rapid expulsion of air from the lungs, which passes through the glottis and vibrates the surrounding tissues, producing the characteristic hiss. The...
The Tiger Chameleon, Archaius tigris, inhabits the Seychelles islands of the Seychelles archipelago. Being a fragment of Gondwana, which is mostly submerged and preserved only as the highest peaks of the former mountains of the little continent, the Seychellois fauna is very unique and endemic, harbouring ancient faunistic and floristic elements of...
Chameleons are generally rather sensitive and nervous animals, and as such, they really do not like to be handled. For them, a huge object (like a human) might be ignored if it does not move, and they may even consider it a "walking tree" and crawl on it without problems. More likely, however, they perceive it as a predator. Therefore,...
Chameleons are best left alone, as they do not enjoy handling, they are wild animals that thrive when observed from a distance. However, there are specific scenarios—such as for research or captive management—where a keeper or breeder needs to know how to handle a chameleon safely, minimizing the risk of injury to both the animal and the handler.
Calumma oshaughnessyi, or O'Shaughnessy's chameleon, is found exclusively in the eastern rainforests of Madagascar. This species typically measures between 20 and 25 cm in length and exhibits colour variations from yellow, green to blue, often adorned white and blur spots. Mating males can have head coloured white or red. Breeding occurs during the...
Archaius tigris, commonly known as the tiger chameleon, is a relatively small chameleon species, measuring approximately 16 cm (6.3 in) in length. Its coloration ranges from subtle light-grey to vibrant yellow-orange, and it can also appear in shades of green or dark brown, often adorned with scattered black spots. A notable characteristic of this...
The gular area, or the so-called chin area is basically an area situated under lower surface of the body between the mental symphysis and the arc of the hyoid bone. In chameleons, it usually consists of three types of scales:
Water household in chameleons is a very complex area about which books can be written.
Chameleons are quite calm animals and do not proactively interact with humans unless they are forced to. In the wild, they are very efficient in escaping human attention - they are masters of disguise. In captivity, they are not true pets; they are pets for observation, not for handling, and certainly not for cuddling. Chameleons exposed to heat,...
Female F. verrucosus consuming exuvia
Head bobbing is a common behavior observed in chameleons, particularly during social interactions, courtship, and territorial displays. This distinctive movement serves various purposes and plays a crucial role in their behavior and communication.
Furcifer pardalis, the Panther Chameleon is a chameleon species notoriously known for unbelievable and variable colors. Amongst all of them, one form situated in the extreme southwest of the range of the species exhibits spectacular and unbelievable red or pink colors. It is the form from the city of Ankaramibe.
To increase the heat gain and body temperature, the chameleons turn dark {Furcifer pardalis, Ankaramibe, Madagascar)
Chameleons, in general, tend to display more blue coloration in captivity compared to the wild, as evidenced by numerous examples, especially in animals coming from several generations in human care. This blueing effect is notably present in Nosy Be panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis), which naturally exhibit much less blue, with the so-called...
Chameleons are fascinating creatures known for their incredible ability to change color and their unique physical features. While they are generally harmless, bites can occur, particularly if they feel threatened or stressed. In this article, we'll discuss how to handle a chameleon bite and, more importantly, how to prevent bites from occurring in...
Candling chameleon eggs is a practice used by some breeders to assess the development of the embryos inside the eggs. While there are only questionable benefits to candling, there are several reasons why it is strongly adviceble not to do it:
The depicted animals are WNC (Wild, Not Caught), photographed IN 2013 on Nosy Faly by Katrin Pawlik, Berlin, FRG
Filariasis is caused by various filarial worms (such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Loa loa in humans; Foleyella atum and Acanthocheilonema spirocauda in chameleons), which are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
Chameleons possess two copulatory organs on the left and right sides, called hemipenes. These organs are situated in pockets at the base of the tail and can retract into them, controlled by a specific muscle that relaxes when the organ is extended.
Chameleons possess two copulatory organs on the left and right sides, called hemipenes. These organs are situated in pockets at the base of the tail and can retract into them, controlled by a specific muscle that relaxes when the organ is extended.
Chameleons are extraordinary living beings that exhibit vibrant colors and unique behaviors, yet they are not exempt from the environmental devastation wrought by humans. The pervasive threat of microplastics is a growing crisis that affects all organisms and ecosystems, including these remarkable reptiles. As microplastics increasingly invade the...
Microplastics: The Silent Killer Choking Our Oceans and Devastating Life on Earth
The carpet chameleon, also known as the jewel chameleon or white-lined chameleon, is a species endemic to eastern central Madagascar. It is a relatively small chameleon, with males predominantly green and whitish or yellowish markings, while females display bright colors and varying patterns, including black, white, blue, yellow, and orange.
In 2012, A. M. Florio, C. M. Ingram, H. A. Rakotondravony, E. E. Louis, and C. J. Raxworthy published an article titled "Detecting Cryptic Speciation in the Widespread and Morphologically Conservative Carpet Chameleon (Furcifer lateralis) of Madagascar" in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Volume 25, Issue 7, pages 1399-1414. They confirmed that...
For over two centuries, zoologists have upheld the principles of binomial nomenclature, a systematic method for naming organisms, including chameleons, in Latin. However, the pronunciation of these Latin names is often misrepresented in social media presentations and films, undermining the clarity and understanding that this nomenclature is...
Once upon a time, it was actually about 2½ centuries ago, a very wise and educated nobleman came up with a brilliant idea of organizing all of our perceptions of the surrounding world, starting from rocks and minerals to plants and animals. This was Carolus Linnaeus, who wrote a book that became one of the most important works of mankind, called "...
Anolis proboscis: The Unique Horned Lizard of Ecuador
The coastal form, Chamaeleo roperi
The liver is a vital organ found in all vertebrates, including chameleons. Known scientifically as the "hepar" from the Latin term, the liver derives its name from the ancient Greek word "hēpar - ἡπαρ", which is transliterated as "hepar" into Latin. In chameleons, as in other reptiles, the liver plays a central role in metabolism, detoxification,...
In reptiles, the heart possesses a degree of autonomous regulation, allowing it to continue beating even after clinical death. This phenomenon is attributed to the intrinsic cardiac pacemaker within the heart. Specialized cardiac muscle cells can generate impulses independently of the nervous system, similar to the sinoatrial (SA) node found in...
