Chameleons can move their eyes independently to look in two different directions at the same time.

Chameleons possess a unique visual anatomy where the upper and lower eyelids are joined, leaving only a small pinhole for the pupil to see through. This structure allows each eye to rotate 180 degrees horizontally and 90 degrees vertically. Research published in the journal Current Biology suggests that their brains can process two separate images simultaneously, a feat known as monocular independence.When a chameleon scans its environment, the eyes operate autonomously to maximize the field of view. However, once a target like a cricket is identified, the lizard undergoes a process called binocular transition. Both eyes lock onto the prey to create a single three-dimensional image. This shift is critical because it provides the stereopsis, or depth perception, required to calculate the exact distance for a tongue strike.The speed of a chameleon's tongue can reach 60 miles per hour in just a fraction of a second. Without this precise visual coordination, the lizard would likely miss its target. Studies by researchers at the University of Geneva have shown that this specialized visual system evolved as a survival mechanism. It allows these slow-moving reptiles to remain motionless and camouflaged while maintaining total awareness of their environment.