Chameleon

Ustad Mansur Chameleon

Colour change and iridophore types in panther chameleons

Erpétologie générale, ou, Histoire naturelle complète des reptiles (Chamaeleo chamaeleon skeleton)

Chameleon in Berenty Madagascar 0001

Chameleon gab fbi

Chameleons are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of Old World lizards in the family Chamaeleonidae. Known for their ability to change color, their long, sticky tongues, and their eyes, which can pivot and focus independently to observe two different objects simultaneously, chameleons are considered one of the most fascinating creatures in the reptile world. This article provides an overview of their characteristics, habitat, behavior, and conservation status.

Characteristics

Chameleons vary greatly in size and body structure, with total length from approximately 1.5 centimeters in the smallest species, Brookesia micra, to 68.5 centimeters in the largest, Furcifer oustaleti. Their feet are highly adapted for gripping twigs and branches, with two toes pointing forward and two backward. Chameleons have a prehensile tail, which serves as a fifth appendage for grasping branches. Their distinctive zygodactylous feet and prehensile tail make them excellent climbers and adapted to arboreal life.

The most notable feature of chameleons is their ability to change color. This color change serves various functions, including social signaling and reactions to temperature and other conditions, rather than merely camouflage as commonly believed. The color change is achieved through the expansion or contraction of cells in their skin that contain different pigments.

Habitat

Chameleons are primarily found in Africa, with a significant number also living in southern Europe, and across south and southeast Asia. They inhabit a range of environments, from rainforests to desert conditions. Arboreal chameleons live in trees and bushes, while others, such as the genus Brookesia, are terrestrial.

Behavior

Chameleons are mostly diurnal, spending their days hunting for insects and other small prey. They have very specialized hunting methods, including a long, sticky tongue that they can project at high speed to capture their prey. Their eyes can move independently, allowing them to look in two different directions at once, a trait that aids in hunting and alertness to predators.

Reproduction

Chameleons have various reproductive strategies, ranging from oviparous (egg-laying) to viviparous (giving birth to live young). The female lays eggs in a hole she digs in the ground, where they will incubate for a period ranging from a few months to over a year, depending on the species.

Conservation

Many chameleon species are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and the pet trade. Conservation efforts are in place to protect these unique reptiles, including habitat preservation and regulations on trade. Some species are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

See Also

• Reptile
• Camouflage
• Predation