Beautiful Footage: Chameleons Are Amazing | National Geographic

Summary

Chameleons are fascinating creatures known for their independently rotating eyes, color-changing abilities, and unique behaviors like their tongue projection. Native to Madagascar, where over 40% of chameleon species are found, these animals use color change primarily for communication, not camouflage. Males display vibrant colors to compete, while females show intense colors to signal disinterest in mating. Chameleons' ability to change color is due to the rearranging of guanine crystals in their skin. Despite their fascinating traits, many species are at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction, particularly deforestation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chameleons are known for their independently rotating eyes, color-changing abilities, and long, projectable tongue.
• 😀 Madagascar is a central hub for chameleon diversity, with 42% of the 202 known species occurring there.
• 😀 Chameleons change color for communication, especially during male-male combat or when females signal disinterest in mating.
• 😀 The color change in chameleons occurs through the manipulation of guanine crystals in their skin, altering the reflection of light.
• 😀 Color change was once believed to be for camouflage, but it’s now understood to be a strategy for communication.
• 😀 Chameleons mimic natural movements, such as swaying like leaves or branches, to avoid predators and break up their movement patterns.
• 😀 The chameleon tongue can extend up to two body lengths at speeds of up to 13 mph, functioning similarly to a bow and arrow.
• 😀 The launch of the chameleon’s tongue is initiated by the recoil of elastic tissues, similar to the release of a bowstring.
• 😀 Chameleons face significant threats, with 36% of species at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction and deforestation.
• 😀 Some chameleon species are critically endangered, with only a specific habitat or mountain range to live in, making them highly vulnerable.

Q & A

Why are chameleons considered charismatic animals?

Chameleons are regarded as charismatic due to their unique features such as independently rotating eyes, the ability to change color, pincer-like feet, a long tongue they project from their mouth, and their slow, deliberate movements.

Where is the center of chameleon diversity, and how many chameleon species are described in science?

Madagascar is a major center of chameleon diversity. Of the 202 chameleon species currently described by science, 42% occur on Madagascar.

What was the old theory about why chameleons change color, and what is the current understanding?

The old theory suggested that chameleons change color to match their background. However, it is now understood that chameleons change color as a communication strategy, especially during male combat or to signal to females when not interested in breeding.

How do male chameleons communicate during combat?

Male chameleons exhibit impressive colorations during combat to communicate dominance or aggression to each other.

How do female chameleons use color change to communicate?

Females change color to show they are gravid (carrying eggs) or not interested in mating. This signals to males that they should not pursue courtship.

What did scientists discover in 2015 about chameleon skin and its role in color change?

In 2015, scientists discovered that the superficial layer of chameleon skin contains pigments, and below that are cells with small guanine crystals. Chameleons change color by adjusting the spacing between these crystals, which alters the wavelength of light reflected off them, changing the hue of their skin.

How do chameleons use behavioral camouflage?

Chameleons use a characteristic back-and-forth motion while moving along branches or the ground, mimicking the movement of a leaf or branch in the wind. This behavior helps them avoid detection by predators.

What is the chameleon’s tongue mechanism, and how far can it project?

The chameleon tongue is a highly complex structure involving bone, elastic elements, and muscle. Chameleons can project their tongues up to two body lengths at speeds of about 5.8 meters per second (13 mph).

How is the chameleon tongue launch similar to a bow and arrow?

The tongue launch is similar to a bow and arrow in that it involves the loading of elastic elements through muscle action. The recoil of these elements, similar to the release of a bowstring, launches the tongue at high speed.

What are the main threats to chameleons in the wild?

The main threats to chameleons in the wild are habitat alteration and deforestation. Many chameleon species are highly range-restricted, living in specific habitats, which makes them especially vulnerable to these threats.

How many chameleon species are considered threatened or endangered?

36% of chameleon species are threatened with extinction. Nine species are critically endangered, and 37 species are classified as endangered.

Why are chameleons particularly vulnerable to extinction?

Chameleons are vulnerable due to their limited range and specific habitat needs. When their habitat is altered or destroyed, their survival becomes highly endangered, especially for species that exist only in isolated environments.