False chameleons, often belonging to the genus Anolis, are lizards that resemble true chameleons but are not closely related. Their name reflects a superficial similarity rather than a shared evolutionary lineage with the true chameleon family, Chamaeleonidae.
Distinguishing Features
False and true chameleons exhibit several distinct biological differences. True chameleons possess zygodactylous feet, with toes fused into pincer-like bundles for grasping branches. False chameleons, like other anoles, have typical lizard feet with five distinct toes, often equipped with specialized toe pads for strong adhesion to surfaces.
Their ocular anatomy and movement also differ. True chameleons are renowned for independently moving eyes that rotate 360 degrees, scanning two directions simultaneously before converging on prey for depth perception. False chameleons, such as the Cuban false chameleon (Anolis barbatus), also exhibit some independent eye movement but align their vision for binocular depth perception more frequently. True chameleons have fused eyelids with a small pinhole opening, while false chameleons possess normal, separate eyelids.
Hunting strategies and tongue morphology also differ significantly. True chameleons use extremely long, projectile tongues, extending more than their body length to rapidly capture distant prey. False chameleons have shorter, less specialized tongues and typically ambush prey at closer range. True chameleons also possess a fully prehensile tail for stability and manipulating objects. False chameleons, while arboreal, generally have semi-prehensile tails used primarily for balance and anchoring.
Physical Characteristics
The Cuban false chameleon (Anolis barbatus) exemplifies these lizards’ physical traits. They often reach about 18 cm (7 inches) snout-to-vent length, with a slightly shorter tail. Their robust heads feature a distinct, bony casque at the rear. They typically exhibit dull gray-brown coloration, providing camouflage against tree bark.
False chameleons can change color, but this differs from the rapid, dramatic shifts of true chameleons. They transition between shades of tan, brown, gray, and sometimes greenish hues. This slower color change is influenced by temperature, light exposure, stress, and social interactions, rather than solely matching their immediate background. Their skin texture is often rough, contributing to a bark-like appearance.
Many false chameleons have a dewlap, a retractable flap of skin under the chin. In species like Anolis barbatus, this dewlap is often spiny and can be white or peach-pink. They also possess toe pads, similar to geckos, enabling them to climb and adhere to various surfaces, including glass.
Habitat and Behavior
Cuban false chameleons (Anolis barbatus) are native to Western Cuba’s forested environments. They are primarily arboreal, living in trees and favoring low branches, twigs, and foliage within tropical to subtropical rainforests and woodlands. They also inhabit disturbed areas like fruit and coffee plantations.
These lizards are largely insectivorous, with a significant part of their diet consisting of snails and other gastropods, which they crush with blunt teeth. They are ambush predators, often remaining stationary, blending into their surroundings, and waiting for prey. Their locomotion is often slow and deliberate, sometimes involving a swaying motion to mimic a twig swaying in the wind, aiding concealment.
Cuban false chameleons are diurnal. Despite their relatively large size for anoles, they prefer perching on small-diameter branches and twigs. They use toe pads for secure climbing and semi-prehensile tails for balance.
Socially, they communicate through head bobs and dewlap displays. While generally calm, males can be territorial, so housing multiple males together is not recommended. Unlike many other anole species, they cannot autotomize (drop) their tails.