It is easily distinguished from others in the Rieppeleon genus by the presence of a "beard" below the mouth, consisting of a few raised scales.

It is also capable of compressing its body laterally and producing a stripe down its side, mimicking a dead leaf.

It can adopt a variety of colors, including yellow, green, orange, black, and brown.

Males are distinguished by a longer tail, more prominent dorsal crest, slimmer body type, and persistent patterning.

Like others in the family Chamaeleonidae, it is distinguished by independently rotating eye sockets and a tongue longer than its body.