Wildlife lovers will surely not be able to indifferently walk past a completely charming lizard - a chameleon. These amazing creatures amaze with their amazing ability to mimic. How does a chameleon change color and why does he need such transformations?
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Description and varieties of a chameleon
Chameleons are a reptile living on the planet for many centuries. These creatures belong to the family of lizards, standing out in a separate suborder. In nature, there are 170 species of these small reptiles.
Did you know? The found remains of fossil lizards, the ancestors of the chameleon, were about 26 million years old.
The body of these creatures is noticeably flattened from the side, the neck is short, and the tail is long and tenacious, able to fold at the right time. The surface of the body of the lizards is rough, the eyes are round and incredibly mobile. Interestingly, the pupil of the chameleons does not hide behind the eyelid.
These lizards are sedentary animals that prefer to sit for a long time without movement, clasping the branches with their tail and tenacious fingers. From time to time they catch insects, quickly throwing a long and sticky tongue towards them, but if necessary they are able to quickly move along branches.
Most chameleons inhabit the territories of Africa, Madagascar, as well as nearby islands. Small species can be found in Spain and the Mediterranean countries, in Asia Minor and Syria. One species lives in Sri Lanka and on the territory of India, two - on the Arabian Peninsula.
- The largest representative of this family is the Parson chameleon, which can be found in Madagascar.
- No less gigantic from the point of view of chameleons is the lizard of Ostaleti.The body length of representatives of these two varieties can be 50–70 cm or more.
- On the island of Nosy Be, near Madagascar, lives a tiny chameleon of Brukesia, whose length, along with a miniature tail, is 4 cm.
In nature, there are oviparous chameleons (Yemen, Parson, panther) and viviparous (lizard Wernery, Jackson). The latter species usually live high in the mountains.
Did you know? Not all types of chameleons are available for free purchase and maintenance of the house.
For home terrarium, carpet, Yemeni chameleon, panther, Jackson and Parson chameleons are best suited. These lizards usually take root well at home and can even produce offspring.
Why does the animal change color
The most interesting feature of exotic lizards is, of course, their ability to change their color. Why does a chameleon change color? Scientists have long suggested that the color change is associated with camouflage, but modern research has revealed that the color change of the chameleon is primarily related to the communication of the lizard with its relatives.
In general, color changes depend on multiple factors, including the time of day, as well as humidity and temperature conditions of the environment.
So, chameleons can change the color of their bodies under the influence of fear, irritation, as well as in case of dehydration, hunger, or if they are in danger. During the mating season, male chameleons change color in literally seconds.
Color change mechanism
The chameleon changes color due to the unique structure of the skin layers. In this case, color changes can occur on the entire surface of his body, as well as in certain areas. In this case, spots, stripes, etc. appear on the skin of the dinosaurs.
In the thickness of the skin of these lizards there are chromatophores - cells containing grains of different pigments. Interestingly, the cells are equipped with processes, due to which there is a uniform distribution of pigment. In this case, the lizards become dark. When the processes begin to shrink, the colors are localized in the center of the cell and the color of the lizard changes.
What shades can a chameleon body acquire?
Watching chameleons changing colors is extremely interesting. Lizards from greyish-green, merging with foliage, can sharply turn into yellow-green, blue, brown, milky or even lilac or purplish-red. In some cases, these creatures can take on a rich dark color (black, bright brown, etc.).
Red, yellow, black and brownish colors are created by chromatophores in the outer cell layers, while blue, blue in the deeper layers. Creating a green color additionally connects the process of refraction of rays in the upper layers of the skin. They contain guanine crystals. Areas in which all chromatophores are densely compressed acquire a yellowish tint.
Lifestyle & Nutrition
Chameleons spend almost their entire lives on tree branches, descending to the ground exclusively during the mating season. It is on a tree that it is easier for chameleons to adhere to disguise, because peculiar claw paws do not facilitate movement on the ground. For this reason, the gait of the lizards is somewhat rocking.
The most active chameleons in the daytime, but still move little.
The danger to the lizard can be predatory mammals, birds or snakes. Seeing a potential enemy, the chameleons swell like a ball, changing color. The lizard begins to hiss and snort, trying to intimidate the enemy. At the same time, a brave chameleon may even try to bite the attacker, but is not capable of causing serious wounds, since his teeth are frankly weak.
The diet of chameleons includes various insects. Remaining motionless, lizards are on a branch for a long time. In this case, only their eyes move. Sometimes a chameleon can sneak up on prey very slowly.The reptile captures the victim with its long tongue, which “shoots” from the mouth at the right time. Its expanded tip acts as a suction cup to which insects adhere. This stickiness arises due to the peculiar composition of saliva.
Some people prefer to start chameleons as pets, acquiring a special terrarium for them. At the same time, keeping such a pet will not cause much trouble if you create comfortable conditions for lizards. The intricacies of the content are best discussed with a specialist.
It is recommended that chameleons living at home be fed with fruits and leaves of plants, tropical cockroaches, crickets, etc. We should also not forget about water.
Interesting Reptile Facts
Over the years, observing the chameleons, the researchers discovered several interesting facts:
- Changing the color of the body of a chameleon can take place in literally 20 seconds.
- The eyes of a lizard are able to see in two directions simultaneously.
- In small varieties of chameleons, the tongue in relation to the body is larger than in their larger relatives.
- By shooting, the chameleon's tongue is able to catch the victim in 0.07 seconds.
- Each foot of the chameleon is equipped with 5 fingers, grouped in sections of 2 or 3 fingers. This gives the legs of the lizard a resemblance to the tongs. The limbs of a reptile are very well adapted to moving around trees.
- Male chameleons have a brighter appearance. Many wear “jewelry” on the face and head in the form of processes, ridges or protrusions.
- Chameleons, like snakes, have no ears, medium or external, and therefore hear these lizards poorly.
- Chameleons are able to see the surrounding reality in ordinary and ultraviolet light.
The American chameleon is in fact a small lizard of the iguana family. Exotic chameleons are lizards, popular among both naturalists and potential pet owners. A distinctive feature of these reptiles is the ability to change the color of the skin. Some types of chameleons are suitable for home maintenance.
