Here in the Hawaiian Islands, the Jackson's Chameleon is considered a malihini, or newcomer. An introduced species, this horned, green reptile (not to be confused with the smaller emerald green gecko) only made its way to Hawai‘i in 1972 from its native Africa. Since then, this intriguing species has multiplied, forming large breeding populations on O‘ahu, Big Island, Maui and Kaua‘i.

Despite their estimated abundance, you’ll be lucky to observe one in the wild. The Jackson's Chameleon is extremely difficult to see thanks, in large part, to its amazing ability to change color and match its surroundings to near perfection. This physiological “superpower” most often kicks in when the chameleon is frightened and feels the need for camouflage. That’s right; at just the moment you’ve happened to stumble upon it! This talent as a quick-change artist is not the only stealthy trick hiding behind those horns. Jackson Chameleons also have independently focusing eyes that allow them to see 360 degrees—all the better to see you with—and a tongue, with a sort of suction cup tip, one-and-a-half times the length of its body, which allows it to snatch up prey while undercover. One concern is the negative impact that could possibly occur to the native ecosystem if these chameleons spread further into higher elevation of pristine forest where endemic preys are abundant.