Jackson’s chameleons tend to be mainly green in coloration with little blue or yellow throughout the body; however, like all other chameleon species, Jackson’s chameleons change their color based on changes in health, temperature, and mood. Males are larger than the females and can reach a length of 15 inches while the females reach only 10 inches in length. However, their tail does make up half of their size.

The species’ nickname is the “three-horned chameleon” due to the males having three distinct brown horns, one protruding from the nose and one above both eyes. The paws of the Jackson’s chameleon are zygodactylous, meaning that two of their toes point inward and the remaining three point outward, making their life up in the trees much easier.

Jackson’s chameleon originated in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya. This critter is an invasive species to Hawai’i after being introduced in 1972, and it now has populations on the big island, Maui, and O’ahu, putting the state’s native species at risk of predation.

They prefer areas with heavy vegetation to provide cover for them to hide, such as woodlands and mountainous forests. They only leave their homes in the trees in order to mate or give birth on the forest floor.

Jackson’s chameleons mainly eat small insects, but have been known to eat larger creatures like snails, other lizards and small birds. While hunting, they will use their spooky eyes that move independent of the other to watch for food in opposite directions. They use their incredibly long tongues- tongues that are twice the size of their bodies! -to capture and eat their prey.

Interestingly, the mating ritual of the Jackson’s chameleon highly resembles their threat ritual. Following the male completing the threat ritual, the female either responds in kind and they do not mate, or if she does not make any movement in response, mating will occur.

Unlike other chameleons, Jackson’s chameleons give birth to live offspring rather than laying eggs. Approximately 8 to 35 infant chameleons are born following a gestational period of 6 months. The offspring are completely independent following their birth and even begin to hunt just hours after they are born. 

Male Jackson’s chameleons use their horns to “joust” others that encroach on their territory, even going so far as to knock the other male off the tree entirely. However, prior to this drastic measure, the male will exhibit a variety of other deterring actions , like puffing up, turning brighter colors, and hissing while swaying from side to side.