{"id":10953,"date":"2022-04-16T09:06:32","date_gmt":"2022-04-16T09:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=10953"},"modified":"2022-04-16T09:06:34","modified_gmt":"2022-04-16T09:06:34","slug":"how-does-a-chameleon-adapt-to-its-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/how-does-a-chameleon-adapt-to-its-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does A Chameleon Adapt To Its Environment?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve ever seen a chameleon up close, you probably recognized it immediately. Chameleons are highly distinctive lizards<\/a> with many unique appearances and characteristics they have developed over time. They live in many different parts of Africa, but they are also kept as pets throughout the world. So, you may be wondering, how does a chameleon adapt to its environment? Keep reading! In this article, we\u2019ll explore the answer to this question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the Adaptations of a Chameleon?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chameleons have developed many unique adaptations over time. These adaptations help them to survive in many different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at some of these adaptations and explore the ways in which they help chameleons survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Color Changing Ability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most notable physical features of a chameleon is its ability to change its skin color. While it is commonly thought that chameleons change color to become \u201cinvisible\u201d <\/em>against their surroundings, this isn\u2019t entirely true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chameleons can blend in with their surroundings, but they don\u2019t necessarily become invisible. They won\u2019t necessarily take on the exact colors of their surroundings; in fact, there are times they change colors in order to stand out<\/em> from their surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how exactly do chameleons change color?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their skin cells contain pigments of melanin that can produce various colors. Chameleons can cause these melanin pigments to spread out and gather back together, which causes them to become different colors and shades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this is only part of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the melanin pigments, chameleon skin contains unique, microscopic crystals which actually reflect light, causing different colors depending on how close or spread out they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A combination of these pigments and crystals, as well as the chameleon\u2019s ability to move them around in the skin, helps the chameleon to change color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chameleons have some control over which colors they turn; when they are feeling excited, threatened, or attempting to attract a mate, they turn bright colors such as red, orange, and yellow; when they are calm and at rest, they turn calmer colors like green and tan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chameleons change colors to blend with their surroundings as well as to stand out; they will do it to attract mates and scare off other males. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, they will also change colors to reflect sunlight and heat, thereby controlling heat absorption in their bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this video to learn more about how chameleons change color:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SQggDnScsvI<\/a>