Editing Chameleon (section)

==Reproduction==
Most chameleons are [[oviparous]], but all ''[[Bradypodion]]'' species and many ''[[Trioceros]]'' species are [[ovoviviparous]] (although some biologists prefer to avoid the term ovoviviparous because of inconsistencies with its use in some animal groups, instead just using [[viviparous]]).<ref name=Hughes2020>{{cite journal| last1=Hughes | first1=D.F. | last2=Blackburn | first2=D.G. | year=2020 | title=Evolutionary origins of viviparity in Chamaeleonidae | journal=Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research | volume=58 | issue=1 | pages=284–302 | doi=10.1111/jzs.12328 | doi-access=free }}</ref>

The oviparous species lay eggs three to six weeks after [[copulation (zoology)|copulation]]. The female will dig a hole—from {{convert|10|–|30|cm|in|round=0.5|abbr=on}}, deep depending on the species—and deposit her eggs. Clutch sizes vary greatly with species. Small ''[[Brookesia]]'' species may only lay two to four eggs, while large [[veiled chameleon]]s (''Chamaeleo calyptratus'') have been known to lay clutches of 20–200 (veiled chameleons) and 10–40 (panther chameleons) eggs. Clutch sizes can also vary greatly among the same species. Eggs generally hatch after four to 12 months, again depending on the species. The eggs of [[Parson's chameleon]] (''Calumma parsoni'') typically take 400 to 660 days to hatch.<ref name=Laube2000>{{cite journal |author=Laube, Alexandra; Negro, Thorsten; Augustin, Andreas |year=2020 |title=781 days in the egg: Prolonged incubation time in ''Calumma parsonii parsonii'' (Cuvier, 1824) resulting in a healthy juvenile and revealing circumstantial evidence for sperm retention in this species |journal=Herpetology Notes |volume=13 |pages=425–428 |url=https://www.biotaxa.org/hn/article/view/60931 }}</ref>

Chameleons lay flexible-shelled eggs which are affected by environmental characteristics during incubation. The egg mass is the most important in differentiating survivors of Chameleon during incubation. An increase in egg mass will depend on temperature and water potential.<ref>{{citation|vauthors= Diaz-Paniagua C, Cuadrado M |title=Influence of incubation conditions on hatching success, embryo development and hatchling phenotype of common chameleon (''Chamaeleo chamaeleon'') eggs |journal=Amphibia-Reptilia |year=2003 |volume=24 |issue=4|doi= 10.1163/156853803322763891|pages=429–440|doi-access=free }}</ref> To understand the dynamics of water potential in Chameleon eggs, the consideration of exerted pressure on eggshells will be essential because the pressure of eggshells play an important role in the water relation of eggs during entire incubation period <ref>{{citation|author= Andrews |title=Effects of incubation temperature on growth and performance of the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus|journal=Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological Genetics and Physiology |year=2008 |volume=309 |issue=8 |publisher= Journal of Experimental Zooly|pages=435–446|doi=10.1002/jez.470 |pmid=18512704 |bibcode=2008JEZA..309..435A }}</ref>

The ovoviviparous species, such as the [[Jackson's chameleon]] (''Trioceros jacksonii'') have a five- to seven-month gestation period. Each young chameleon is born within the sticky transparent membrane of its yolk sac. The mother presses each egg onto a branch, where it sticks. The membrane bursts and the newly hatched chameleon frees itself and climbs away to hunt for itself and hide from predators. The female can have up to 30 live young from one gestation.<ref name="TorontoZoo">{{cite web |url=http://www.torontozoo.com/ExploretheZoo/AnimalDetails.asp?pg=794 |title=African Rainforest |publisher=Toronto Zoo |work=Jackson's Chameleon |access-date=January 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111212443/http://torontozoo.com/ExploretheZoo/AnimalDetails.asp?pg=794 |archive-date=November 11, 2011 }}</ref>