Can Chameleons Swim? What Is Reality?

Whenever you see chameleons swimming in water, you may be amazed by their swimming and think, ‘Chameleons are good swimmers.’ However, the reality is different.

Chameleons are not good swimmers; they swim only when their life is in danger and they are trying to save themselves, not for enjoyment.

Chameleons usually spend most of their time in trees to hunt their prey. There are approximately 200 species of chameleons living on our Earth, but none can swim & do not want to be in water.

The reason is that a chameleon’s body is not designed for swimming, and they cannot hold their breath underwater.

There is much more to learn about chameleon swimming that we’ll discuss below.

Is It True That Chameleons Can’t Swim?

Chameleons typically can swim, but only if forced or if they fall suddenly into water. They don’t like rivers, lakes, or the ocean for swimming; they prefer to spend their lives in trees.

Generally, chameleons lack the essential abilities found in good animal swimmers. A limbless snake is a reptile known for its excellent swimming abilities.

But why are chameleons not good swimmers that are also reptiles?

Usually, limbless snakes have large tails that provide benefits during swimming. Chameleons also have large tails, but these tails do not offer any benefits for swimming.

Although chameleons have large legs, these legs are only useful for their arboreal lifestyle, not for in the water.

However, some species of chameleons swim in water to some extent.

Do Chameleons like water?

Chameleons generally don’t like water, neither for drinking nor for swimming. A chameleon can live without drinking water for up to one week.

However, many videos are available on the internet in which we can see chameleons swim.

Usually, this does not mean chameleons like water; they just struggle to land on dry land to protect themselves from water.

For example, a cat can eat an apple to save them if he’s starving, but it does not mean the cat likes to eat an apple every day.

Just like that, chameleons, a type of lizard, hate swimming. An interesting thing is that they also hide themselves in the rainy season.

So, in short, all this evidence proves that chameleons don’t want to swim, and they will try to protect themselves from water as soon as possible when they feel they are in the water.

Can Veiled and Tarzen Chameleons Swim?

Both veiled & Tarzan chameleons have types of chameleons that are native to Southwestern countries like Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Veiled chameleons can be found in the dry areas of Saudi Arabia, while Tarzan chameleons can be found in Madagascar. Madagascar is also famous for colorful chameleons.

Here is an interesting point to note: veiled chameleons mostly live in Saudi Arabia, which is the largest country without a river.

So, where do chameleons go to swim if they want to? The simple answer is that veiled chameleons do not wish to swim.

Although there are many rivers in Madagascar, it does not mean that Tarzan chameleons swim in water. They prefer dry places to spend their lives, but mostly they live in trees.

Can Chameleons Hold their breath underwater?

Usually, chameleons do not hold their breath underwater nor are they good swimmers. Holding breath underwater is a difficult task for land animals.

Generally, amphibians hold their breath underwater, like frogs. According to some research, cats and turtles also hold their breath underwater.

Furthermore, seven species of turtles live in the ocean, but no species of chameleons live in water.

Gills in animals are the most important respiratory organ responsible for breathing underwater, and chameleons lack this organ. That’s why they can’t breathe in water but can swim to some extent.

What other qualities do chameleons have besides swimming?

So, after reading the above guide, it is safe to say that chameleons are not good swimmers. Besides this, what other characteristics do chameleons have?

Chameleons hold various unique and fascinating qualities beyond their swimming abilities. Here are some notable ones:

Color Change:

If you see a chameleon swimming in water in search of land, help it and pour out the water. The chameleon will thank you by changing its color.

Usually, they change color to fight or after a fight with other chameleons.

Unique Eyes:

One other interesting fact about chameleons is that they can see two different objects at the same time. It means chameleons can see at 360 degrees.

Tail:

Chameleons have prehensile tails which they use for moving between trees. Although chameleon’s tails provide various benefits to chameleons, but these tails don’t help them in swimming.

Specialized Feet:

Chameleons have zygodactylous feet, which means two toes on one side and three on the other. This helps them to grasp branches securely.

Long Tongue:

Chameleons have naturally long tongues, sometimes longer than their body length, which they use to catch prey. Chameleons tongue is sticky at the end, that can snatch insects and other small animals.

Good Hearing:

Although chameleons do not have external ears, but it does not mean they’re deaf. They can hear the sound of their prey as well as other animals can hear.

Good Vision:

Another characteristic of chameleons is that they have good vision and can see both visible and ultraviolet light.

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