Chameleon Facts

The Chameleon of the 'changing color fame' is one of the most famous reptiles belonging to the lizard family. The Chameleon (Chamaeleonidae) is a native of the continent of Africa and Madagascar and is also found in a few other places of Europe and Asia. There are over 120 species that fall in the family of chameleons. The most common chameleon (Chamaeleo) is found in the Mediterranean region. An interesting but little known among other chameleon facts is that the translation of 'chameleon' is 'Earth Lion/Little lion'. I bet many of you did not know that. There are several other interesting chameleon facts such as these and the following article will try to focus on the same. So get ready to foray into the world of this very interesting creature, and learn some more facts about the chameleon.

Facts about Chameleons

Studies have proven that this reptile has developed some of the most highly specialized skills when compared to any other animal, especially in the reptile world. Let us review some of these in the following sections.

Physical Attributes
Chameleons have flattened bodies that are laterally based. The major physical feature that you will notice in the chameleon is that it is heavily ornamented - It has crests, spines and horns and eyes that are bulging. Their eyes have a unique quality, which is that they can rotate independently of the other. In the sense that while one eye looks forward, the other can look back. This helps them keep 'an eye' on their surroundings and be alert and aware of danger. Their vision is known to be their best feature, often called 'binocular' in nature.

Chameleons have united toes, that come into a bunch and are found on the sides of either foot. These act like tongs, and help them grasp the branches that they perch on. They have long, prehensile (which help them grasp onto a surface) tails. Their bright colors are their most famous feature and their tongues are long and sticky, which is essential for them to easily grasp their prey.

They walk in very slow, deliberate movements. They have sharp nails which help them cling and climb onto the surface of trees. Adult chameleons shed their skin every 4-5 months in bits and pieces.

Chameleons have 2 small holes for ears, located near the eyes and are not visible to the naked eye. Even though they are almost deaf, they can hear tones and feel vibrations in the air. This helps them take stock of their surroundings, thus helping them in danger. It also helps them hunt their prey better.

Chameleons have teeth that help them bite into their food. They use it to crush and then chew into their food, sometimes breaking it into pieces before doing that.

Chameleon Habitat
The chameleons are arboreal creatures, which means they dwell on trees. It is because of this that they are usually a dark color of green so that they camouflage well in their surroundings. The chameleons require water and traces of sunlight for survival as well. They rarely come onto the ground. If they do, it is for laying eggs or to catch a prey.

Chameleon Food
The Chameleon's diet mainly consists of insects, making them insectivores. They use their tongues to capture them. Their tongues are a major feature of their body, because they are designed to be highly specialized in their function. The tips of their tongues are very long and sticky. And when unleashed, they measure about one and a half times their body's length. When a chameleon sees a prey, he will focus his eyes to gauge the distance between him and the prey. Then the tip of his tongue will foray out and in one quick zap the prey will be hit and captured. The zapping lasts for a split second at the most. One of the more interesting chameleon facts in relation to this point is that, the chameleon has no taste buds!

Color Change
Though 'changing colors like a chameleon' has got a negative connotation to it, it is one of the most effective methods of camouflage adopted by any creature. So, yeah, you can call it negative, but it works for the chameleon.

Contrary to popular belief, the chameleon does not have the innate ability to change colors according to its whims and fancies. External factors such as temperature, danger and emotions (of the chameleon) are responsible for this. The chameleon has a major distribution of melanophores in its body which are responsible for the change in color. Since the chameleon's temperature is controlled from outside its body, their reaction to hot and cold temperatures leads to a change in the skin color. So also, fear, territorial instincts and danger will make them change their color. ALL of this is involuntary.

Now that we know some interesting chameleon facts, it will be easier for us to look at this reptile in a completely different light. Though some people keep chameleons as pets, it is not highly recommended. After all, observing this interesting creature in its natural habitat would be no less than a thing of beauty.