What are Chameleons?

Chameleons are reptiles that are part of the iguana family. These colorful lizards are known as one of the few animals that can change skin color.

A chameleon sits on tree branches. They usually resemble a statue and then quickly sticks outs its sticky, two-foot-long tongue which snaps out at 13 miles an hour, wrapping around a cricket and whipping the yummy snack back into the reptile’s mouth. So super fast!!! This is one of the many features of the chameleon. What exactly to they eat?

Where Do Chameleons Live?

Rain forests and deserts of Africa is where these creatures are located. The color of their skin helps them blend in with their habitats. A habitat is a place where an animal makes his home. Watch this cool video on habitats. Chameleons that hang out in trees are usually green. Those that live in deserts are most often brown.

What are the 5 main habitats? The area where a particular organism lives naturally is called its habitat. The five major habitats are – forests, grasslands, deserts, mountains and polar regions, and aquatic habitat.

Did you know the reason why they change color? Well, they often change color to warm up or cool down. (Turning darker helps warm the animals because the dark colors absorb more heat.) They also switch shades to communicate with other chameleons, using bright colors to attract potential mates or warn enemies.

Isn’t this so cool? You are probably wondering how do they change their colors? The outer layer of their skin is see-through. Beneath that are layers of special cells filled with pigment—the substance that gives plants and animals (including you) color. To display a new color, the brain sends a message for these cells to get bigger or smaller. As this happens, pigments from different cells are released, and they mix with each other to create new skin tones. For instance, red and blue pigment may mix to make the chameleon look purple.

• Do Chameleons Make Good Pets?
• What do Chameleons Eat?