Both the specific name, hoehnelii, and one of the common names, "von Höhnel's chameleon", are in honor of Austrian explorer Ludwig von Höhnel (1857–1942).

[1] T. hoehnelii is a small to medium-size chameleon, growing up to 10 inches (25.4 cm) in total length (including tail).

If males are placed together, they will hiss at each other, turn black, and compress their bodies to make them look larger.

[2] Sexually mature adults form stable pair bonds during the mating season, which endure throughout the five months of pregnancy.

[7] The high-casqued chameleon eats most small insects and spiders, and does so by extending the tongue to capture the prey.