Chameleons are such neat creatures. They are a type of lizard with very unusual adaptations. There are more than 180 species and half of these are found in Madagascar; an island off the coast of South-East Africa. Chameleons are also found in other areas of Africa, Southern Europe and South Asia. They live in warm areas, in habitats varying from rainforest to desert; depending on the species.
Chameleons come in many different sizes, from the largest, which is the size of a cat, to the smallest, which is smaller than a thumb. Some live in trees; others live in the leaves on the ground. Chameleons match the colours which surround them, so that they remain well disguised or hidden. Those in trees tend to be green to match the leaves; and those on the ground, brown. Some species can change their colour and pattern. They have tiny crystals in their skin cells. Their colour changes depending on the size of the spaces between the cells. Sometimes the colour change is for camouflage, but often it is to control temperature, show their mood or to attract a mate. For example, in desert regions, a chameleon might be black in the morning when it is cooler, as the dark colour absorbs heat. Later in the day, they turn light grey to reflect the heat. Chameleons tend to show brighter colours when they are frightened and stressed, or are defending themselves against predators.
Some chameleons are decorated with crests or horns on their heads. Others have a row of spikes on their back – the spikes help them meld into the background, making them harder to see. The males tend to be more decorated than the females.
Each chameleon’s foot has five toes – two pointing in one direction and three pointing the other; like a pair of tongs. This helps them to grip tightly and climb trees. Each toe has a sharp claw for scaling up bark. Most species also have a tail that is able to grasp branches.
Chameleons have unusual eyes – the upper and lower eyelids are joined and bulge out. They have a tiny hole in the middle for the pupil to see out. Each eye can move independently, so they can see in front of them and behind them at the same time! They have excellent eyesight and can spot insects from 5 to10 meters away.
They have amazingly long tongues, which they whip out at ballistic speed to catch their prey. The tongue has a wet suction cup at the end which captures the prey; then the tongue gets wound back into their mouth with the prey attached, ready to be eaten.
They eat mostly insects like crickets, butterflies, and ants – but some of the bigger species will eat other lizards and even young birds. They don’t need much water and will drink drops that have pooled on leaves. Some chameleons get vitamin D by basking in the sun.
Most species of chameleon lay eggs. The mother digs a hole 10-30cm deep to lay the eggs in, and the babies will hatch after 4-12 months. Depending on the species, they can lay between 2-200 eggs. Some species develop inside their mother for 5-7 months – they are born in an egg membrane which the mother sticks to a tree and from there the baby lizards hatch out fully formed.
