Chameleons (Chamaeleonidae family of Lizards)
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Chameleons are diurnal and primarily insectivorous. Difficult to mistake with other lizards, they have zygodactyl feet (opposable grasping pads), extensile tongues and of course the independently moving eyes which are on protruding cones. Chameleons are found in Madagascar and Africa and a few species in Spain, the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka.
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JACKSON'S CHAMELEON
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|  | Chameleo jacksonii
| Native to Kenya and Tanzania, a large number were brought to Hawaii in the 1970s and they are now found on at least four Hawaiian Islands. Growing to around 33cm (13in) and living for around 10 years, they spend most of their time in tree branches. As with most Chameleons, they are able to look in two different directions at once, change their colour and have long, sticky toungues for catching insects. Males have three horns on their head and females have none. Unlike some other Chameleons, the Jackson's Chameleon gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
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Image: David Warwick (Taronga Zoo Exhibit - Feb 2005)
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