Chameleons primarily live in Africa, Madagascar, and parts of Asia, the Middle East, and southern Europe. Almost half of all chameleon species originate from Madagascar, especially its rainforests and subtropics. They inhabit a variety of environments including tropical and subtropical rainforests, scrub savannas, deserts, woodlands, mountains, and shrublands. Some species also live in the Middle East, such as the Veiled Chameleon native to Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Introduced populations of chameleons exist in places like Hawaii, Florida, and Texas in the United States, where they have adapted to local environments. In summary:

• Majority of species live in Madagascar and Africa.
• Some species also inhabit southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece), and parts of Asia (India, Sri Lanka).
• Habitats range from rainforests, savannas, and woodlands to deserts.
• Non-native introductions in the U.S. have established populations in warmer states.

This diversity in habitat reflects the chameleons' adaptability to warm environments, with many species favoring arboreal life in trees or bushes, while a few live on the ground among leaf litter.