The size and appearance of this chameleon varies considerably over its vast range, and it may be any shade of brown, beige, grey, olive, green, or dark red, but usually display colours and patterns that mimic a dead leaf.

Despite its tiny size, the brown leaf chameleon has an imposing appearance due to two pronounced horns that protrude from the head above each eye and four spiny scales that jut from the throat.

[4] The brown leaf chameleon occurs in eastern Madagascar (including the island of Nosy Boraha),[5] from sea level up to elevations of over 1,250 metres (4,100 ft).

[4] The brown leaf chameleon spends its days foraging among dead leaves on the forest floor,[4] searching for prey with its independently moving, protruding eyes and catching insects with its long, sticky tongue.

This includes the 'freeze-and-roll' technique, in which the chameleon folds its legs underneath its belly, rolls over to one side and remains very still, mimicking a dead leaf on the forest floor.