Chameleons are famous for their ability to blend in, but contrary to popular belief, this isn’t why they are so colorful. Chameleons change color depending on their mood, and each color represents emotions such as anger, aggression, calmness, and sexual receptivity. Observing their color is also a fantastic way to gauge their health status, and understanding the different shades will help you be a better owner. If you want to know more, read on to discover what a chameleon’s changing colors mean.
Chameleons Change Color for Many Reasons
Chameleons change color depending on their mood, and color changes help them to communicate their feelings with fellow species. As noted, color changes indicate excitement, aggression, and mating status.
These are the main reasons why a chameleon changes color:
1. To attract or deter a mate – Male lizards put on an incredible display when they want to attract a mate. Females are generally less colorful, but they will produce dramatic color displays to deter males when they are not sexually receptive.
2. To challenge and intimidate competitors – Males compete for territory and females, and their colors help them appear more intimidating to rivals. Chameleons use color displays, such as rapid color changes, to scare off competitors.
3. Due to injury or bruising – Their skin may change color due to bruising or injury. Bruised skin often appears dark brown to black or dark yellow.
4. To regulate body temperature – A cold lizard is usually dark, while a hot one will be light. Dark colors absorb more heat than light ones, and chameleons may use their color to regulate their body temperature.
How Do Chameleons Change Color?
Chameleons change color because of unique cells called melanophores and iridophores, which form in the middle layer of their skin. Melanophores contain melanin, which like in humans, is responsible for skin pigmentation. Melanophores can condense melanin to create dark colors. These cells also allow pigments to move up and down (toward or away from the skin’s surface), which creates deeper or lighter shades.
Iridophores also aid color changes because they contain transparent nanocrystals that reflect light. The nanocrystals form lattice-shaped structures in the skin, which tighten and loosen depending on mood. A densely packed lattice reflects blue and green light waves when a chameleon is relaxed or submissive. The nanocrystals loosen if a chameleon is excited and reflect red and yellow light waves.
Chameleons are unique lizards, and watching their magnificent color displays is mesmerizing. But, for other lizards, the show is even more spectacular as they see colors on the UV light spectrum.
Do Chameleons Change Color to Match Their Background?
The most common misconception about chameleons is that they change color to blend in with their surroundings. While they make slight color adjustments to improve their camouflage, usually, they don’t make dramatic changes as they do during mating displays. Instead, they adjust their shade rather than color to blend in with their background.
A chameleon’s relaxed colors (like brown and green) blend in naturally with most backgrounds, and they are one of the animals with the best camouflage. Camouflage is crucial for their survival because they don’t have sharp teeth and claws, venom, or a shell to defend themselves against predators.
The Importance of Understanding Your Lizard’s Changing Colors
As a first-time reptile owner, you must take the time to understand what your pet’s colors mean because, as well as representing their mood, color is also a fantastic health indicator. Healthy, young chameleons are more colorful than old or unhealthy ones. It’s hard to tell if a chameleon is ill because they are excellent at masking it, but their color is one of the first things that will decline during illness. If you think your lizard is unwell, consult with a trustworthy reptile vet for advice.
What Are the Most Colorful Chameleon Species?
The most colorful chameleon species include panther and veiled chameleons. Not all species have dramatic color changes; some only flip between two colors. These small lizards make fantastic pets –– each species has unique colors and displays.
Here’s a brief list of some of the most colorful chameleons:
1. Panther chameleons – are the most colorful species and one of the most popular pets. They have outstanding mating displays, which reflect every color of the rainbow.
2. Veiled chameleons – present many shades of green, red, brown, blue, and yellow.
3. Parson’s chameleons – is bright green and turquoise with yellow eyes. It’s one of the largest species and can grow up to 27 inches.
4. Jewelled chameleons – is a small endangered species with intricate colors and patterns, but not suitable for beginners.
5. Carpet chameleons – males are lime green and can display many colors, including orange and lavender.
3 Fascinating Facts About Chameleons
Chameleons are incredible creatures, and it’s not only their color-changing abilities that make them unique. Discover more fascinating facts about chameleons:
1. Around half of all chameleons, including the smallest and largest, come from Madagascar. The smallest is the brookesia nana, or nano-chameleon, which is just half an inch long. The largest is the Parson’s chameleon, which grows up to 27 inches long.
2. A chameleon’s eyes move independently, and each has a 180-degree visibility range, so technically, they have 360-degree vision. Chameleons can see around their body – a fantastic defense against predators.
3. Chameleons have a lethal, muscular tongue twice the length of their body. Not only is their tongue strong, it has the fastest acceleration of anything in the animal kingdom. They catch their prey in a split second.
