Top 10 most interesting facts about chameleons

The chameleon belongs to a family of lizards that are well adapted to an arboreal lifestyle. It is considered one of the most unique creatures that live on our planet. Almost everyone knows the fact that chameleons are excellent camouflage. Sometimes a person can be very close to him, but not know about it.

There has been a lot of controversy about these animals for a very long time. Someone believes that they are amphibians, and who is sure that they belong to a completely different class. But scientists have answered the question. Chameleons are reptiles. So let’s get to know them better. We present you a list of 10 interesting facts about chameleons: amazing discoveries of scientists.

10 Lead an arboreal lifestyle

Basically, all chameleons live on tree branches.. Rather, they are most comfortable there, since the disguise is quite simple. It is worth saying that sometimes they still go down. This happens during marriage.

It is quite difficult for them to move on the ground. If you pay attention, you can see that the gait of chameleons on an earthy surface is a little swaying. Only thanks to the peculiar points of support, they can feel great in the thickets.

Most often, chameleons are active during the day. They don’t like to move all the time. Mostly located in one place, and try not to leave it. But at the same time they run very fast, if there are reasons for that.

9. They live on the island of Madagascar

Chameleons live in Africa, India, Southern Europe. But most of them are in Madagascar. They are also found in the tropics and savannas. Very rarely seen in deserts and steppes.

8. Capable of changing body color and pattern

Color change is the main feature of chameleons. The skin for them is a kind of armor, which has scales and tubercles. Each tubercle and scale fits very tightly to each other. They can change them thanks to chromatophores.

Each cell has a branched structure. One part is in the depth of the skin, and the other is in the upper layers of the skin. It is in it that there are special capsules and certain pigments that contain various paints.

The color and pattern of the skin is different – from orange to blue and dark green. Can change it depending on location, health and even emotions.

7. Use color change to communicate

Firstly, color change in chameleons occurs for communication, not protection. But, if the animal is frightened, or someone picked it up, a change can also occur.

Chameleons can change their color if the opposite sex comes into view, as well as due to changes in temperature or lighting.

Changes help the chameleon hide from its enemies as well. It is worth noting that it can become the color of the surface on which it is located. At the same time, the animal moves very slowly, and this also saves its life, because in most cases it goes unnoticed.

6. Average body length 30 cm

The body length of a chameleon depends entirely on its species. But the average length always stays around 30cm. For example, a spiny species can reach a length of almost 45 centimeters, but females will be much smaller. Yemeni – almost 55 cm, panther – 35 cm, small – 25 cm, European or ordinary – 20 cm.

It is worth noting that quite recently, not far from the island of Madagascar, the smallest species of chameleon was found. In total length – 29 mm. It can easily fit on a match head.

Such species constantly reside in forest litter. Scientists believe that these are dwarf species that are under the threat of complete extinction. Very often, the forests of these places fall under severe cutting.

Such a small species of chameleon feeds on the smallest insects. In order not to be disturbed, they climb to the very tops of trees.

5. The process of ejecting the tongue lasts 1/20 of a second

More recently, scientists have conducted some experiments that shocked. They considered about twenty species of different chameleons, which differ in size and habitat. There was a high-speed camera in the room, which recorded various processes: their movements, color changes.

Chameleons sat on branches, but their body was completely motionless. They caught insects with their tongue. The ejection process lasted only 1/20 of a second. Literally in 3 seconds, the animal could recognize the insect. The fastest were dwarf species. Such chameleons live in mountain ranges in Tanzania.

4. Increase in size when frightened

Sometimes, under the influence of mood, the color of a chameleon can change dramatically. For example, if an animal feels threatened, it can change its color from green to the darkest. But that’s not all. At such moments a chameleon can swell and at the same time greatly increase in size.

At the same time, he widely inflates his mouth and makes sounds similar to the hiss of a snake. These animals are quite formidable during mating games. Approximately the same action takes place.

3. There are about 150 different types of chameleons

Currently, about 150 species of chameleons are known.. Almost all are listed in the Red Book. Many are on the verge of extinction.

Some people prefer to have such an exotic animal at home. But not everyone understands that, for various reasons, a chameleon cannot live in captivity. More precisely, it is possible, but for this you need to select certain types.

Yemeni, Panther, Carpet and many others are perfect. They not only adapt to involuntary living conditions, but also give birth to their offspring.

Most of the 150 species of chameleons are found only in Madagascar and its nearest islands.

2. Eyelids fused and permanently closed, with a hole for the pupil

The body of a chameleon is rather unusual. It is slightly flattened from the sides, and the back is arched. Most often, it has a comb, which is decorated with different colors. Very often, because of it, it may seem that the animals are hunched over.

Even more amazing is their head. Some species have a hump, others are just growths that resemble something like horns. Basically, such various decorations can be seen only in the male sex. In women, they are less pronounced.

It is worth noting that the eyelids of reptiles are tightly fused and close the eye openings almost entirely. Only small slits remain where pupils can be seen. That is why sometimes it seems that they are a little convex, although this is not at all the case.

Chameleons rotate their eyes like telescopic tubes. The viewing angle is 360 degrees. At the same time, they can be rotated independently of each other. This is what allows animals to focus well even on the smallest objects.

But they don’t have ears. But, nevertheless, they perceive sounds of different frequencies.

1. Hypocritical people are called chameleons

Surprisingly, sometimes chameleons are called not animals, but people. They try to adapt to new and unexpected circumstances. At the same time, they can do this almost instantly..

Chameleon people lie very often, and they are also two-faced. Their true opinion is very difficult to know. They behave differently depending on the situation. For example, the authorities will try to please everyone, but those who are lower in position will be rude and ridiculed in front of others.