Biology of Indian Chameleon

1. BIOLOGY OF INDIAN
CHAMELEON
By Abhishek Dhara
ROLL…………………...NO. ………….
REG.NO……………………………

2. I express my deep sense of gratitude to our teacher in
charge Dr.Pijush Kanti Dandapath for his support.
With deep sense of our respect I would like to express
my sincere gratitude to my most respectful teacher
Dr. Dipanjan Ray & the dept. of Zoology , Bajkul
Milani Mahavidyalaya under Vidyasagar University
for organizing in my Powerpoint Slideshow of
Indian Chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus) .
I would also like to thank all staff of Zoology
department. I acknowledge the assistance and help
received from my class friend.
I am also thankful to Bajkul College authority for giving
us permission to Powerpoint Slideshow.

3. Objectives
 What is chameleon?
 Systematic position
 Origin
 Characters of chameleon
 Habitat of chameleon
 Diet of chameleon
 Behavior of chameleon
 Adaptation of chameleon
 Reproduction of chameleon
 Conservation status of chameleon

4. Introduction
Chameleons are recognised by triangular head with a
pointed crest above and a prehensile tail. Both fore
and hind limbs have two digits opposed to the
primates. The sticky club shaped tongue may extend
to the size of the body during catching insects. Eyes
can be moved independently. They have a remarkable
power in changing the color and this is controlled by
an autonomic nervous system. The color may be in
response of light, heat or emotion. They are arboreal
and insectivorous.

5. Systematic Position
Kindom-Animalia
Phylum-Chordata
Subphylum-Vertebrata
Superclass-Gnathostomata
Class-Reptilia
Subclass-Lepidosauria
Order-Squamata
Suborder-Lacertilia
Family-Chamaeleonidae
Genus-Chameleo
Species-Chamaeleo zeylanicus

6. Origin
We found out this was
probably first in the late
Cretaceous , 65 million
years ago, and then
again in the Oligocene
period, about 45 million
years ago.

7. What is Indian Chameleon(Chamaeleo
zeylanicus)?
The Indian chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus) is a
species of chameleon found in India, Sri Lanka,and other
parts of south Asia. Like other chameleons, this species
has a long tongue, feet that are shaped into bifid claspers,
a prehensile tail, independent eye movement , and the
ability to change skin colour. They move slowly with a
bobbing or swaying movement. They do not choose the
background colour differences. They are usually in shades
of green or brown or with bands. Thes can change colour
rapidly and the primary purpose of colour change is for
communication with other chameleons and for
controlling body temperature by changing to dark colour
to absorb heat.

8. Characters of Chameleon
 Chameleons are Reptiles.
 They can grow up to 14 inches
long.
 They have a sticky club shaped
tongue may extend to the size of
the body during catching insects.
 They have a prehensile tail.
 They are insectivorous.
 They female chameleon may
lay about 30 eggs in holes.

9. Habitat
 Chameleons are seen
inhabiting almost all the parts of
south India and west of the Ganges.
However, they rarely seen in areas
that receive heavy rain fall.
Chameleons are mostly arboreal
and are found in trees or on smaller
bushes.

10. Diet
 The Chameleons diet is
insects ( spiders,
grasshoppers, cricket,
locusts , caterpillars,
moths, dragonflies and
other insect).
 The large chameleons
add small birds, mice and
even other small lizards.

11. Behavior
 They have a sticky club
shaped long tongue may extend
to the size of the body during
catching insects.
 It communicate to other
animals by changing its color.
 They have a prehensile tail ,
that can be used to hold and
manipulate objects finding and
eating food in the trees.

12. Body of Chameleons
1. Rostral crest
2. Lateral crest
3. Temporal crest
4. Occipital lobes
5. Gular crest
6. Ventra crest
7. Dorsal crest composed
of single scales, cones
of tubercles.
8. Rows of enlarged
scales or tubercles
along the flanks
9. Tarsal spur

13. Adaptation
 Chameleon change color in
order to be camouflaged.
 Chameleons have long
tongue tongue to catch their
prey from far away.
 Chameleons have five toed
claws like feet tostay on trees.

14. Reproduction
 Chameleons are mostly
oviparous , with some being
ovoviviparous . The oviparous
species lay eggs three to six
weeks after copulation . The
female will dig a hole-from
10-30 cm(4-12 in ) , deep
depending on the species and
deposit her eggs.

15. Conservation status
Least concern (IUCN 3.1)
 Chamealeo zeylanicus is
listed as Least concern (IUCN 3.1)
as it widely distributed.

16. Conclusion
 Chamealeo zeylanicus is listed as Least
Concern (IUCN 3.1) as it widely distributed. It
occurs in several protected areas and the
current threats are not causing major declines
at present. The species is however likely to be
regionally threated in India and Sri Lanka
C.zeylanicus prove to be distinct from the
mainland form this species will require
immediate reassessment and may warrant
listing in a threatened category.

17. Reference
Sinha,K.S., Adhikari,S.,Ganguly, B.B.&
Bharati Goswami,B.D.(2001).Biology of
Animals. Vol. II.
www.wikipedia.org
www.animaldiversity.org
www.slideshare.net
www.powershow.com

18. Thank you