Things You'll Need
- Yardstick or tape measure
Instructions
Inspection Without Handling
Examine the colors of the chameleon's body. Males are green with turquoise, yellow, orange, green and/or black bands. Females are also green but mottled in appearance, with tan, orange, white and, sometimes, yellow blotches.
Examine the casque -- or crest -- on its head. A mature male's casque may exceed 2 inches tall (sometimes reaching more than 3 inches in height). A female's is smaller. This examination is easiest to do when multiple chameleons are compared together.
Compare body types. Males are skinny while females are shorter in length but stockier.
Inspection While Handling
Examine its hind feet. Males have tarsal spurs -- small bulges of skin just above the heels of each foot. Females lack tarsal spurs. This inspection can be done on a chameleon of any age.
Lay a yardstick or tape measure on a flat surface.
Place the chameleon's head at the beginning end of the tape measure or yardstick and measure it to the tip of its tail. Mature males are 17 to 24 inches in length while females are 10 to 14 inches.