| Common Chameleon | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Sauria |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Chamaeleo |
| Species: | C. chamaeleon |
| Binomial name | |
| Chamaeleo chamaeleon (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
The Common Chameleon is the only species of Chamaleonidae of Europe.
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Four sub-species are identified:
In Europe: Southern Greece (Aegean Islands, Crete, Chios, Samos), Malta, Southern Portugal, Southern Spain, Cyprus. In North Africa and the Middle East: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Western Sahara, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran.
It was once cited by Marlin Perkins (creator/host of TV's original "Wild Kingdom") that it was once erroneously believed that chameleons could only mimic solid colors, giving rise to the now-obscure expression: "Crazier than a chameleon on a checkered tablecloth."