The quilled chameleon is a relatively small reptile, notable for its long pink tongue and the large feather-like quills that extend from its front legs. Its body is primarily dark green in coloration, but it also has light green patches on its head, along the straight of its back, and extending down its long, thin tail, which it normally keeps rolled into a ball. Its four feet contain three clawed toes each, and it has two large yellow eyes, positioned on either side of its head.