Chameleons or chamaeleons Chamaeleonidae are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of old world lizards with 202 species described. These species come in a range of colors, and many species have the ability to change colors. Chameleons are distinguished by their zygodactylous feet; their very long, highly modified, rapidly extrudable tongues; their swaying gait; and crests or horns on their brow and snout.