Britannica Sources used in this answer

How do chameleons use their feet to grip branches?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

black girdle-tailed lizard — lizard Black girdle-tailed lizard (*Cordylus nigra*).

Chameleons possess highly specialized feet adapted for life in trees, which differ significantly from the adhesive pads found on many other arboreal lizards. Instead of using microscopic structures to stick to surfaces, chameleons utilize a zygodactylous, or tonglike, arrangement of their digits.123

The toes on each foot are united into two opposing bundles by webs of skin, allowing the foot to function like a clamp. The configuration is as follows:23
* Forefeet: Three toes are positioned on the inside and two on the outside.2
* Hind feet: Two toes are positioned on the inside and three on the outside.2

By opposing these two bundles, the chameleon can firmly grip slender branches. This grasping ability is further supported by the chameleon's prehensile tail, which acts as an additional anchor to help the animal maintain its balance and stability while navigating inclined or vertical supports.132