Chameleon
HOW DO CHAMELEONS CHANGE COLOUR?
Chameleons are one of the most interesting and colourful reptile on earth.
Do you know what makes a Chameleon change its body colour?
Well it is quite an interesting fact. It is a misconception that Chameleons change colours to match their surroundings and to hide from predators. They change colours to reflect their moods or to convey a message to other Chameleons. Beneath the outermost layer of the skin there are more layers that contain cells called Chromatophores. These are filled with different colours of pigment. To be simple in term, the brain sends message to Chromatophores, which makes the pigments to move around to change the colour of the skin. Within 15 to 20 seconds the colour changing process takes place.
Some INTERESTING Facts
There are nearly 171 different species of Chameleons and half of the species live on the Island of Madagascar, the rest in Africa to Southern Europe and across South Asia.
It can move its eyes in two different directions and focus at two different objects at the same time.
Chameleons can run fast (upto 20 miles per hour)
According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, the largest Chameleon is the Parson’s Chameleon. It can grow upto 69.5 centimetres (27 inches) long.
The Madagascan also known as the Oustalet’s Chameleon, is also very large and grows upto 60 centimetres (23 inches)
The smallest Chameleon or the leaf Chameleon grows up to just 16 millimetres (0.5 inches)
Chameleon’s tongue which is 2 times longer than its body is very helpful for them to catch its prey in less than 0.08 seconds.
Isntit interesting and colourful?
Image Credit: www.bbc.com
