The Common Chameleon is a species of Chameleon that is native to many coastal regions around the Mediterranean.
Because of this, they are often referred to as the Mediterranean Chameleon and they are the only Chameleon species that naturally occur in Europe.
Common Chameleon Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The Common Chameleon belongs to the infraorder Iguania. This is a grouping of lizards which contains species such as Iguanas, Chameleons, Agamids and Anoles.
As its name suggests, it belongs to the Chameleon family of lizards. There are over 200 different species of Chameleon lizards that are divided into 12 different genera.
The majority of Chameleons are native to Africa and Madagascar but they can also be found in the Middle East, India and parts of Southern Europe.
Some of the popular species of Chameleons include the Panther Chameleon, the Carpet Chameleon and the Pygmy Chameleon.
Genus
The genus that the Common Chameleon belongs to is called Chamaeleo. There are currently 14 recognised species in this genus at the time of writing.
These species can be found throughout most of Africa, in parts of Southern Europe, the Arabian Peninsula and as far East as India and Sri Lanka.
Some of the other species in this genus include the Senegal Chameleon and the Veiled Chameleon.
Species
The scientific name for the Common Chameleon is Chamaeleo chamaeleon and there are currently 4 recognised. sub-species.
This species was first described in 1758 by a Swedish taxonomist named Carl Linnaeus.
Common Chameleon Description
The Common Chameleon typically has a slender, elongated body with a casque, which is a helmet-like structure on their head.
They vary in size, with adults ranging from about 15-25cm (6-10 inches) in length, not including the tail.
Like other species of chameleon, they have independently moving eyes that can rotate and focus on different objects simultaneously.
This feature allows them to have a 360-degree field of vision, which is particularly useful for detecting predators and prey in their environment.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Common Chameleon is native to many coastal regions around the Mediterranean including parts of Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
They are native to several countries in North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. It is also found in parts of Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula.
In these areas, the chameleons inhabit a range of habitats, from coastal areas to mountainous regions.
The common chameleon has a limited distribution in Europe, primarily found in southern parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Balearic Islands.
They have also been introduced to other small islands in the Mediterranean, likely from accidental transport.
It is the only chameleon species native to Europe as the Mediterranean climate in these regions provides a suitable environment for them.
This species is also present in certain Middle Eastern countries, such as Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Chameleons in these areas are often found in arid or semi-arid habitats, including desert fringes and rocky landscapes.
Common Chameleon Behaviour
The Common Chameleon is generally a solitary creature and is known for their slow and deliberate movements.
They are also territorial and use body language and color displays to communicate with other chameleons and establish dominance.
Like other species of Chameleon, they have the remarkable ability to change color.
They do this through the dispersion and concentration of pigment-containing cells called chromatophores in their skin.
This color change is used for various purposes, including camouflage, communication with other chameleons, and regulating body temperature.
The Common Chameleon has a specialized tongue that they can extend rapidly to catch insects.
The tongue is sticky and can be shot out to considerable distances to capture prey. They primarily feed on insects like crickets, grasshoppers, and flies.
