Iguana vs. Chameleon — What's the Difference?

Iguana (, Spanish: [iˈɣwana]) is a genus of herbivorous lizards that are native to tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The genus was first described in 1768 by Austrian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in his book Specimen Medicum, Exhibens Synopsin Reptilium Emendatam cum Experimentis circa Venena.

Chameleons or chamaeleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of Old World lizards with 202 species described as of June 2015. These species come in a range of colors, and many species have the ability to change color.

Any of various usually large herbivorous lizards of the subfamily Iguaninae, often having a dorsal crest and found chiefly in tropical America.

Variant of Chamaeleon.

A green iguana (Iguana iguana), a large tropical American lizard often kept as a pet.

Any of various tropical lizards of the family Chamaeleonidae, chiefly of Africa and Madagascar, having a prehensile tail, eyes that can move independently, and the ability to change color.

(zoology) Any member of the genus Iguana.

An anole lizard, especially Anolis carolinensis of the southeast United States.

Colloquially, in America and the Pacific, any of several members of the lizard family Iguanidae.

A changeable or inconstant person

Colloquially, in Africa, any large member of the genus Varanus, especially the aquatic Nile monitor (see leguan).

A small to mid-size reptile, of the family Chamaeleonidae, and one of the best known lizard families able to change color and project its long tongue.

Any member of the genus Varanus (see goanna).

(figuratively) A person with inconstant behavior; one able to quickly adjust to new circumstances.

Any species of the genus Iguana, a genus of large American lizards of the family Iguanidæ. They are arboreal in their habits, usually green in color, and feed chiefly upon fruits.

(physics) A hypothetical scalar particle with a non-linear self-interaction, giving it an effective mass that depends on its environment: the presence of other fields.

Large herbivorous tropical American arboreal lizards with a spiny crest along the back; used as human food in Central America and South America

Describing something that changes color.

A lizardlike reptile of the genus Chamæleo, of several species, found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The skin is covered with fine granulations; it has eyes which can move separately, the tail is prehensile, and the body is much compressed laterally, giving it a high back. It is remarkable for its ability to change the color of its skin to blend with its surroundings.

A person who changes opinions, ideas, or behavior to suit the prevailing social climate; an opportunist.

A changeable or inconstant person

A faint constellation in the polar region of the southern hemisphere near Apus and Mensa

Lizard of Africa and Madagascar able to change skin color and having a projectile tongue