Page 28 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

28 ATLAS OF THE WORLD’S STRANGEST ANIMALS

Chameleons are perhaps the most well-known of all
Jackson’s chameleon habitats
lizards, although much of their fame is based on a
misconception.Their celebrated ability to alter their skin
colour happens only in response to variations in the
environment or changes in the reptiles’ mood, not as a
direct attempt to blend in with their surroundings.
Nevertheless, how chameleons change their colour is
a fascinating process and it all starts, sensibly enough, in
the skin.
Chameleons have four layers of skin. First comes the
nether layer, which can reflect the colour white. On top of
that is the melanophore layer, which contains the dark
pigment melanin, meaning that brown and black can be
produced.This layer also reflects blue. Next comes the
chromatophore layer, which contains yellow and red
pigments. Finally there’s the outer, protective layer of
the skin, called the epidermis.
When chameleons become warm or cold, or feel scared
or excited, chemical changes in their body cause the
colour-carrying cells in these layers of skin to expand or
shrink.This creates a blend of colours as each layer new habitat. It might change colour because it felt
produces its own distinct patterns and shades. Often these threatened or because the scarf was hot or wet, but the
colour changes are used purely for display, to help the colours it could produce would be limited – and not
males attract a mate.At other times, such changes are used especially stripy!
as defensive camouflage. However, contrary to popular
belief, chameleons can’t choose what colour they want to Seriously strange
be. Nor do they have a limitless palette to select from. So, Many of us know that chameleons can change colour, but
if we were to place one of these strange lizards on a these striking-looking reptiles have other, equally strange
striped scarf, it wouldn’t automatically blend in with its characteristics that make them unique.

Comparisons

Chameleons come in all sizes, from the 3.3cm (1.3in) dwarf chameleon have dramatic horns.The crested chameleon
Brookesia minima to the 68.5cm (27in) Malagasy giant (Furcifer (Chamaeleo cristatus) has rows of bumps. And the veiled chameleon
oustaleti). Despite this, their bodies are similar, although many (Chamaeleo calyptratus) is the most showy of all, thanks to its helmet-
species sport striking head decorations. Some, like Jackson’s like casque.

Jackson’s Chameleon Crested Chameleon Veiled Chameleon

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.