Chameleon

Bradypodion

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Calumma

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Chamaeleo

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Furcifer

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Brookesia

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Rhampholeon

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Chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are small to mid-size reptiles that belong to one of the best known lizard families. They are famous for their ability to change their colour, and also because of their elongated tongue and their eyes which can be moved independently of each other. Their eyes are the most unique among the reptiles. Among other things they can rotate and focus separately to observe two different objects simultaneously. The name "Chameleon" means "earth lion" and is derived from the Greek words chamai (on the ground, on the earth) and leon (lion). They lack a vomeronasal organ. Like snakes, they don't have an outer or a middle ear and seem to be deaf; at least they cannot detect airborne sounds. But some, maybe all, can communicate via vibrations that travel through solid material like branches.

Related Topics:
Reptile - Lizard - Vomeronasal organ

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