25G 



SNAKES, TURTLES, LIZARDS, CROCODILES 



is scareel}^ three and one half inches long, Ijut its tail may 

 be six inches in length. It has gained the name chameleon 

 from the fact that it can change its color from green to 

 bronze brown, with all the varj'ing intermediate shades. 

 Its body is covered with delicate minute scales and is 



Fig. 176. — American chameleon. Xote tlie toes. 



furnished with four nimble legs, which end with very long, 

 slender toes (Fig. 176). Beneath its neck is a fold of bright 

 red skin that makes a very striking a]:)pearance when ex- 

 panded. 



Old World chameleons. — The true chameleon, of which 

 so much has been written, is an inhabitant of the Old 

 World. It is found in Africa and Asia along the coasts of 

 the Mediterranean Sea. The head is large and angular, 

 and the body is compressed, and fui-nished with a long, 

 prehensile tail and with four legs capable of supporting its 



