One of the lesser-known but highly fascinating members of the chameleon family, found mainly in the forests of Central and West Africa, from Cameroon to Gabon. It’s named after the British biologist Richard Owen, and true to its heritage, this chameleon is a bit of a showpiece in its own right. Its appearance is bold yet refined, with earthy green or brown tones that allow it to blend into foliage, sometimes accented with spots or stripes that change depending on its mood or surroundings.

While some chameleons are known for explosive flashes of neon-like colors, Owen’s relies more on its ability to fade from one earthy tone to another. This helps it remain nearly invisible in its dense rainforest habitat, where camouflage is the key to survival. Its casque, or helmet-like head, is tall and distinct, and its body is laterally flattened, giving it that classic “leafy” profile chameleons are so famous for.

Like all true chameleons, Owen’s has some incredible tricks up its sleeve. Its eyes move independently, scanning the world in two directions at once, until it locks onto an insect. Then, in a blink, it launches its long sticky tongue—often as long as its entire body—to snap up prey with pinpoint accuracy. It’s a calm, slow-moving creature most of the time, swaying gently like a leaf in the wind to avoid detection. But during the breeding season, males become more active, showing off brighter shades and sometimes posturing with raised bodies to impress females or deter rivals.

At night, Owen’s chameleons turn paler in color, which makes them easier for researchers to spot with flashlights in the forest. Because of their size, they can also take on a wider range of prey than smaller chameleons, sometimes eating not just insects but also other small invertebrates.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Angola

2015

Burundi

2015

Cameroon

2015

Central Af. Rep.

2015

Congo-Brazzaville

2015

DR Congo (Kinshasa)

2015

Equatorial Guinea

2015

Gabon

2015

Nigeria

2015