{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "chameleon",
  "name": "Chameleon",
  "scientificName": "Chamaeleonidae",
  "category": "Reptile",
  "summary": "Chameleons are a family of tree-dwelling lizards, most famous for changing color and for eyes that swivel independently to give nearly 360-degree vision. Found mainly in Africa and Madagascar, they catch insects with a sticky, projectile tongue that can extend longer than their own body. There are over 200 species, and color change is used as much for communication and temperature as for camouflage.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Reptilia",
    "order": "Squamata",
    "family": "Chamaeleonidae",
    "genus": null
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 0.15,
    "lengthM": 0.4,
    "topSpeedKmh": 3,
    "lifespanYears": 7
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Chamaeleonidae (family)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Insectivore (mostly)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Forest, savanna, and scrub"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "3–10 years depending on species"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "Up to 60 cm (24 in) in large species"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Slow and deliberate"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (varies by species)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Mainly mainland Africa and Madagascar, with some species in southern Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia.",
    "continents": [
      "Africa",
      "Asia",
      "Europe"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Chamaeleonidae.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Chamaeleonidae&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Chameleon.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chameleon"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/chameleon/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/chameleon/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}