Since any sudden movement might give their presence away to a predator, they have several traits that minimize their need to move. For one thing, each eye can swivel nearly 180 degrees, and they have the uncanny ability to point their two eyes in different directions at the same time. They are therefore able to look in any direction, and even follow moving objects, without turning their heads or shifting body position. Like many lizards, chameleons primarily eat insects. Unlike other insect-eating lizards, they do not dart after their prey.
Chameleons are famous for their ability to change color.
The color change serves only partly for camouflage. Although a chameleon at rest does tend to assume colors similar to its surroundings, color change is also used to signify emotional state. Many chameleons are basically some shade of green or brown at rest, but can become far more brightly colored when frightened, courting, or defending a territory against another chameleon. The toes on both the front a back feet are divided into two groups that oppose each other, so each foot resembles a grasping hand that can hold tightly to a branch. The toes on each side are fused, so the animal looks like it is wearing mittens.