Chameleon

1 Why Chameleons Change Color

Even if you have never kept a chameleon, you have surely heard that it can change color. We all know chameleons change color mainly for self-defense, but what physiological traits inside the chameleon cause it to change color? Did you know a chameleon’s color can sometimes express its mood?

I. Reasons for color change

A chameleon’s color change depends on three layers of pigment cells in the skin. Unlike other reptiles, a chameleon changes color entirely through pigment cells in the skin’s surface layer, which are filled with pigments of different colors. Anderson of the Department of Biology at Cornell University in New York explained the ‘color-change principle’ in detail: the chameleon’s skin has three layers of pigment cells—the deepest layer is made of melanophores carrying melanin that blends with the layer above; the middle layer is made of guanine cells that mainly regulate dark blue pigment; and the outermost layer mainly contains yellow and red pigments. Anderson said, ‘Based on a neurological control mechanism, when stimulated by nerves the pigment cells cause pigments to blend and shift between layers, producing the chameleon’s many color changes.’

II. The functions of color change

1. Chameleons change color to communicate

Chameleons change color more to communicate than simply to camouflage. They communicate with one another by turning green, blue, yellow, red, brown, white, or black. Contrary to popular belief, chameleons do not merely change color to match their surroundings; they display their mood and attitude through color—for example, expressing a willingness to mate.

2. Skin color changes with temperature and mood

Chameleons change skin color according to temperature, mood, and ultraviolet light, and these changes play an important role in signaling their social activity and level of alertness. When a female Panther Chameleon is carrying young or wants to signal to a male that she is not interested in mating, her orange markings turn coffee-brown or black. They tell the other party their meaning directly through color.

2 Tips for Choosing a Chameleon

Friends who want to keep a chameleon surely want to pick a healthy, beautiful baby chameleon. What should you watch for when choosing? Here are five key things to check.

I. During the day a chameleon’s eyes are open, bright, and alert, and the eyeballs keep moving to stay vigilant and look for food!

II. Before choosing, you can feed it on the spot—if it shoots out its tongue to catch food the moment it sees it, a longer tongue and faster strike indicate better health; after it catches the food, observe the inside of its mouth for any abnormalities while it eats.

III. Coax the chameleon onto your hand and feel the grip strength of its limbs—a stronger grip means better health.

IV. At night a healthy chameleon curls its tail firmly, or coils it around a branch; if the tail hangs limply, its health is poor!

V. Do not place two or more chameleons together for comparison, as this will terrify them.