Chameleons and humans have a lot more in common than you think. We both tend to be diurnal, which means that our activity is reserved for daylight. However, when we fall asleep, we become inactive. But, we do remain active during the night just like chameleons. They are not dead during the night, but very much alive. They hydrate, sense light, rest, digest, sit and breathe.

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around
If you are wondering whether chameleons breathe, the answer to that question is rather simple. They are animals and have to breathe just like any other animal. Now, you might be thinking about how chameleons even breathe. As we mentioned above, chameleons are a lot like us, they have air passages and lungs. It allows them to inhale and exhale. Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

Can Chameleons Survive Underwater?

An interesting question that you might be interested in the answer to is if chameleons are able to survive underwater. Similar to any other reptile, chameleons are unable to breathe underwater. They can hold their breath for an extended period of time which allows them to over such a limitation when underwater. The amount of time that a chameleon can hold its breath depends on its physical health, age, and environment.

Unlike amphibians or fish that have gills, chameleons rely on their lungs. Thus, breathing underwater is just not possible. However, you should not take chameleons so lightly. With a single breath, they can achieve double the amount of oxygen required by their blood. The reason behind this is that gas exchange occurs twice for them in each breath. This notable characteristic allows chameleons to hold their breath for quite a long time. Hence, they might be able to stay underwater if the need arises. But, chameleons do not enjoy being underwater as they do not fancy swimming.

What Happens To Chameleons When They Are Underwater?

As mentioned above, chameleons can hold their breath in order to survive underwater. However, you should not expect them to be able to swim. They simply try to float on the water. It is among its limitations. The truth is that chameleons just are not built for swimming. They do not belong in the water. Their survival mechanism does allow them to survive in water. It is important to note that chameleons are susceptible to drowning as they can be very senseless. It does explain why your pet chameleon dislikes drinking out of a bowl. In fact, chameleons can easily drown, even if there is a shallow dish containing water.

Are There Any Species of Chameleon That Likes Being Underwater?

The Calumma hilleniusi species is known for being able to dive into the water. It actually enjoys being underwater. However, it is the only exception. The species is only found in Madagascar and is not as common.
Conclusion
Once you have finished reading this post, you will come to know that chameleons breathe just like us with the help of their lungs and air passages. However, you need to keep them away from water.