In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Chameleon in 6 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Chameleon.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw a Chameleon - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Let's draw a chameleon! You're going to trace two separate lines to start the body. The line at the top is long and curbed, and the line at the bottom is long and squiggly.
Step 2: Connect the two lines by drawing a semi-circle for the head. Here's a tip: trace it at an angle so that the pointy part of the semi-circle is pointing to the sky! Then you can add some lines for the mouth.
Step 3: Next, draw a small circle for the eye and add a dot in the middle.
Step 4: At the back of the body, trace two loops that connect at the end to make a pointy tail.
Step 5: Now, draw the back leg. The lines don't have to be perfect, so you can scribble as you draw them! Don't trace them going straight down but alongside the belly of the body.
Step 6: Draw the arm by tracing a sideways letter L! You can scribble as you draw these lines too! And there you have your chameleon! Did you know that chameleons have tongues that can be twice as long as their bodies (not including the tail)? They use them to catch their food really fast, just like frogs do!
Interesting Facts about Chameleons
Chameleons are brightly colored reptiles that are a type of lizard. They are best known for their ability to change colors in different temperatures, to hide from predators, and to signal each other.
Did you know?
- Unlike humans, chameleons can make each eye move in different directions at the same time.
- Chameleons have long tongues that are up to two times the length of their body, not including the tail. Similar to frogs, they can shoot their tongue out at a fast speed to catch food such as insects.
- Chameleons are the smallest reptiles on Earth. On average, they can grow to be about a half-inch to two feet long.
- The lifespan of a chameleon is about three to five years.
- Female chameleons bury their eggs. It takes about four to 12 months for eggs to hatch. For some species, it could take two years for the eggs to hatch.
Most chameleons are from sub-Saharan Africa and the island of Madagascar. Almost half of all of the chameleons in the world live on Madagascar. Other species are from other parts of Africa, as well as regions of the Middle East, Europe, western islands of the Indian Ocean, and India. Some people keep chameleons as pets.
How To Draw A Chameleon – Step-by-Step Tutorial