Mating in the Mediterranean chameleon takes place in late summer (9), from around July to September (3) (6) (11). At this time, males will become aggressive if fighting over a female with another male or protecting their territory (12). Larger females are preferred as they tend to produce more eggs and will be guarded for longer and with more intensity by the males (11).
As in other Chamaeleo species, both male and female Mediterranean chameleons become sexually mature within one year and the females will produce one clutch of eggs per year (6) (8) (11). From late summer to early autumn, females descend to the ground to bury their eggs in soil (9), producing between 5 and 45 eggs per clutch. The eggs are then incubated underground for 10 to 12 months (1) (3) (10), with the newly hatched chameleons appearing from August to November of the following year (6) (11).
The Mediterranean chameleon is active during the day (1) (3), and its diet consists mainly of arthropods including grasshoppers, flies, bees, wasps, and ants (9). It has also been known to consume spiders and some fruit (3). Like other chameleons, the Mediterranean chameleon is slow-moving and is a ‘sit-and-wait’ predator that captures prey with its long, sticky tongue when prey comes within reach (3) (9). Bizarrely adults will eat juveniles and as a result young chameleons will flee or attempt to hide themselves when encountering an adult (3).
The Mediterranean chameleon is preyed upon by snakes and domestic cats. During encounters with a predator, the chameleon will freeze in its position, display an aggressive defence posture, flee quickly for cover or drop to the ground to escape (2). It may also attempt to camouflage itself to mimic the colour of its surroundings (2) (3) (13).
Additionally, the Mediterranean chameleon may change its colouration to help regulate its temperature, to signal dominance among males and to show sexual receptivity in females (3) (6). After a female Mediterranean chameleon has mated, she develops a black background colour with blue and yellow spots and performs an aggressive ‘dance’ in front of any approaching males. This distinctive colouration and behaviour is thought to signal to the males that she is no longer receptive (6).