A chameleon is a type of lizard famous for changing its skin color. While people often think chameleons change color to match their surroundings, they actually change color mostly to communicate with other chameleons and to control their body temperature. A chameleon might turn darker to absorb more heat from the sun, or flash bright colors to warn a rival to stay away.

Chameleons have other unusual features too: eyes that can look in two different directions at once, a long sticky tongue that shoots out to catch prey, and feet perfectly designed for gripping branches. Most chameleons live in forests in Africa and Madagascar.

People sometimes call a person a chameleon when they constantly change how they act depending on who they're around. A student who acts one way with teachers, completely different with friends, and yet another way with their parents might be called a chameleon. Some people think that being too much of a chameleon means others never get to see who you really are.