chameleon
CHAMELEONS can be considered one of Earth's coolest creatures – mainly because they can change their colour.
This characteristic has even become somewhat clichéd, as a person is called a chameleon if they adapt readily and easily to different environments and situations.
With that said, do chameleons change their colour to blend into the environment they are in?
Verdict:
FALSE
The expression, "blending in like a chameleon" is not entirely accurate as they do not change colours to fit or blend in – rather, they do it to stand out!
In fact, University of Geneva geneticist and animal skin colour expert Michel Milinkovitch said that videos on YouTube which show lizards changing colours as they encounter different surfaces or objects "are completely fake".
The fact is, chameleons are nearly impossible to see in their natural state. The patterns and colours on their body make them look a lot like leaves or branches.
This, according to National Geographic, is because these lizards are utterly defenceless. They don't have a dangerous bite, their skin isn't packed with poison and they can't move quickly.
Staying hidden is pretty much their only tactic to evade predators. Milinkovitch said the more elaborate displays, such as when multiple, bright colours appear at once, are for entirely different reasons.
Chameleons are highly territorial, so when two males encounter each other, there's a fierce show-off – in this case, of colour. The weaker male, who's often smaller and more dimly coloured, will concede defeat by turning off his display first. This indicates that he doesn't want to fight.
Chameleons will also use their displays to dazzle females during courtship. But no matter how brilliant the display, some female lizards won't be interested, and they'll use colour to let the males know.
Another reported but poorly-researched function of their changing colour is to help them regulate their body temperature.
Since chameleons are ectotherms or cold-blooded, they cannot retain heat generated from their metabolism.
This trait is widespread among lizards, so it's likely that chameleons also have this ability.
While they may not live up to the hype, chameleons' use of colour is still very impressive and beautiful to behold.
References:
https://www.
https://education.
https://animals.howstuffworks.
https://www.newscientist.com/
