Celebrate International Chameleon Day: May 9
International Chameleon Day raises awareness to help protect cool chameleons and their habitats.
Did you know?
- Most chameleons live in Madagascar and Africa.
- The world’s smallest known lizard is a chameleon.
- Anyone can participate in International Chameleon Day!
Read on to find more facts, fun, and tips for how you can protect these incredible animals.
Images: supplied by Wildlife Madagascar
International Chameleon Day materials
*French and Malagasy files available here.
Color changers
Chameleons are famous for their ability to change color. They come in a variety of base colors, such as green, brown, and orange. Despite what you might have heard, chameleons can’t change color to blend in with any background. For example, if you plonk a chameleon on a chessboard, it won’t turn into a black-and-white checkered chameleon!
We now know that chameleons change color to communicate. Dive deeper into how chameleons transform with this video from PBS Digital Studios:
How can you help chameleons?
According to Wildlife Madagascar, threats to chameleons include losing their habitat to agricultural practices, logging for construction or charcoal, cattle grazing, and human development. Chameleons are also at risk from collection for the pet trade.
You can help chameleons:
- Raise awareness. Learn about chameleons using the International Chameleon Day materials and help share what you learn with friends, family, and community members.
- Help protect chameleon habitats. If you’re lucky enough to live near these incredible lizards, help care for their habitats. If you love chameleons but live far away, you can still support chameleon conservation organizations.
- Be a responsible pet owner. Chameleons are popular pets, but wild collection of chameleons can be a risk to these animals.
Parents/educators can learn more about the trade in chameleons from Madagascar in this article from Mongabay News.
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Post last updated: 4 April 2025
