Beautiful Color Changer : Chameleon Pictures

Chameleons are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of lizards. Uniquely adapted for climbing and visual hunting, chameleons are vary greatly in size and body structure, with maximum total length varying from 3.3 cm (1.3 in.). Chameleon species have in common their foot structure, eyes, tongues and a lack of ears. On each foot, the five toes are fused into a group of two and a group of three, giving the foot a tongs-like appearance. These specialized feet allow chameleons to grip tightly to narrow branches. Their eyes are the most distinctive among the reptiles. The upper and lower eyelids are joined, with only a pinhole large enough for the pupil to see through. They can rotate and focus separately to observe two different objects simultaneously, this lets their eyes move independently from each other. They lack a vomeronasal organ. They do not have an outer or a middle ear that suggests that chameleons might be deaf, so they can communicate via vibrations that travel through solid substrates such as branches. Chameleons have very long tongues (sometimes longer than their own body length) which they are capable of rapidly extending out of the mouth. The tongue extends out faster than human eyes can follow, at around 26 body lengths per second. Different chameleon species are able to change different colors which can include pink, blue, red, orange, green, black, brown, light blue, yellow, turquoise and purple. Chameleons inhabit all kinds of tropical and mountain rain forests, savannas and sometimes deserts and steppes. About 160 species of chameleon range from Africa, Madagascar, Spain and Portugal, California and Florida… Veiled Chameleon, Jackson’s Chameleon, Panther Chameleon, Bearded Pygmy Chameleon, Spectral Pygmy Chameleon are often sold at pet stores and are not rare to have as household pets. Chameleons generally eat locusts, mantis, crickets, grasshopper and other insects, but larger chameleons have been known to eat small birds and other lizards. A few species, such as Jackson’s Chameleon and the Veiled Chameleon will consume small amounts of plant matter. Chameleons prefer running water to still water. Chameleons are mostly oviparous, some being ovoviviparous. The oviparous species lay eggs 3–6 weeks after copulation. Species

Many people think chameleons change color to blend in with their surroundings. Scientists disagree. Their studies show that light, temperature, and mood cause chameleons to change color. Sometimes changing color can make the chameleon more comfortable. Sometimes it helps the animal communicate with other chameleons. If a chameleon is cold, it might turn a darker color. Why? Because darker colors absorb more heat than light ones.

Mood probably causes most color changes. For example, if a panther chameleon gets angry, red and yellow replace its normal color. A chemical called melanin rises toward the skin’s surface, causing areas of the skin to darken. The animal’s new look tells other chameleons, “I’m ready to fight!” When a male wants to attract a female, he will wear his most flashy colors, as if to say, “Hey baby, want to hang out?” One type of male chameleon will change from brown to purple and light blue. His eyelids may even turn yellow with green spots. What female chameleon wouldn’t fall for such a handsome guy?