Content
- home of the chameleon
- The best view among reptiles
- The fascinating color change
- long tongue
- the beauty of males
- the senses
- mini chameleons
- like solitude
- yogic chameleons
The chameleon is that tiny, colorful and fascinating reptile that inhabits the jungles, in fact, it is one of the most interesting creatures in the animal kingdom. They are well known for having unusual features and impressive physical attributes such as color change.
This chromatic quality is not the only peculiar thing about chameleons, everything about them exists for some reason, their habits, their bodies and even their behavior.
If you like the chameleon but don't know much about it, at Animal Expert we invite you to read this article about trivia about chameleons.
home of the chameleon
There are approximately 160 species of chameleon on Planet Earth and everyone is special and unique. Most chameleon species inhabit the island of Madagascar, specifically 60 species, which are very fond of the climate of this island located in the Indian Ocean.
The remaining species extend across Africa, reaching southern Europe and from South Asia to the island of Sri Lanka. However, chameleon species can also be observed living in the United States (Hawaii, California and Florida).
The chameleon is a beautiful type of lizard found in endangered due to the loss of its habitat and due to its indiscriminate sale, being considered by some people as a pet.
The best view among reptiles
Chameleons have unique and perfect eyes, they have such good eyesight that they can see small insects up to 5mm from a long distance. Its viewing arcs are so developed that they can zoom up to 360 degrees and see in two directions at the same time without getting disoriented or losing focus.
Each eye is like a camera, it can rotate and focus separately, as if each one had its own personality. When hunting, both eyes have the ability to focus in the same direction giving stereoscopic depth perception.
The fascinating color change
A chemical called melanin causes chameleons change color. This ability is surprising, most of them change from brown to green in a matter of 20 seconds, but some change to other colors. Melanin fibers spread throughout the body like a spider's web, through the pigment cells, and their presence in the chameleon's body makes it darken.
Males are more colorful showing multichromatic patterns when compete for some female's attention. Chameleons are born with special cells of various colors that are distributed in different layers of the skin.
The interesting thing is that they change color not only to camouflage themselves with their surroundings, but also when they change mood, the light varies or the ambient and body temperature. The color transition helps them to identify and communicate with each other.
long tongue
The language of chameleons is longer than your own body, in fact, it can measure twice as much. They have a tongue that works through a quick projection effect to catch prey located at certain distances.
This impact can take place within 0.07 seconds from leaving your mouth. The tip of the tongue is a ball of muscle, which upon reaching the prey takes on the shape and function of a small sucking cup.
the beauty of males
Chameleon males are the most "tidy" in the relationship. Physically, they are more complex and beautiful than females, even having ornamental shapes on their bodies such as peaks, horns and protruding nostrils that they use during some defense. Females are usually simpler.
the senses
Chameleons have neither inner nor middle ear, so they do not have an eardrum or opening to let sound in, however, they are not deaf. These small animals can detect sound frequencies in the range of 200-00 Hz.
When it comes to vision, chameleons can see in both visible and ultraviolet light. When they are exposed to ultraviolet light they are more willing to have social activity and to reproduce, as this type of light has a positive effect on the pineal gland.
mini chameleons
It is the smallest of these animals, the leaf chameleon, is one of the smallest vertebrates ever discovered. It can measure up to just 16 mm and sit comfortably on the head of a match. It is also interesting to know that most chameleons grow throughout their lifetime and that they are not like snakes that change their skin, they change their skin in different parts.
like solitude
Chameleons have a solitary nature, in fact, it turns out that females quite often repel males to the point of preventing them from approaching.
When the female allows it, the male approaches to mate. Male chameleons with brighter, more striking colors have more opportunity than males with more muted colors. Most of them enjoy their complete solitude until mating season comes.
yogic chameleons
Chameleons love to sleep hanging as if doing inverted yoga postures. Furthermore, these fascinating animals have a spectacular balance which helps them to climb trees quite easily. They use their hands and tail to strategically distribute their weight as they move from one fragile tree or branch to another.
