Chamaeleon

Scientific Name: Chamaeleon

Classification

Phylum: Chordata - Dorsal tubular nerve cord, notochord and gill slits present.

Subphylum: Vertebrata - Vertebral column present.

Superclass: Gnathostoma -Jaws and paired appendages present.

Class: Reptilia -Scaly vertebrates. Right and left aortic arches present. Single condyle. Pulmonary respiration. Embryo with amnion and allantois.

Subclass: Lepidosauria

Order: Squamata -Lizards and snakes with horny epidermal scales or shields. Quadrate bone movable. Vertebrae procoelous. Anal opening transverse.

Suborder: Lacertilia -Lizards. Body slender, limbs 4. Pterygoid in contact with quadrate. Eyelids are movable

Infraorder: Iguania

Genus: Chamaeleon

Habit and habitat: It is arboreal and feeds on insects.

Characteristics

1. The body is compressed covered with scales and divided into head, neck, trunk and tail.
2. The trunk region occupying most of the body is slightly bent and contains row of spines or crest along the mid-dorsal line.
3. Head has wide mouth, large eyes, small nostrils and backwardly directed hood or helmet formed by squamosal and occipital bones. Skull and atlas joined by a proatlas.
4. Eyes large covered with a thick glandular lid pierced by a small central opening for pupil. Eyes adapted for binocular vision; they work independently while catching insects.
5. Tip of tongue club-shaped and mucus-coated. Tongue projectile and can be shot several inches beyond head to catch insect or prey.

Videos

Beautiful Footage: Chameleons Are Amazing. Source: YouTube-  National Geographic

National Geographic

References

• Wikipedia
• The life of invertebrates by J.Z Young