Welcome to a webpage
dedicated to
the Chameleon.
Image source (left to right):Blue Chameleon by Tambako The Jaguar on Flickr is liscensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Chameleon in the tree by Tambako The Jaguar on Flickr is liscensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Chameleon by Chester Zoo on Flickr is liscensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Chameleons are classified under the scientific name Chamaeleonidae as a reptile.This type of lizard includes over 200 different species.
These reptiles are best known for their distinct range of colors,and being capable of color shifting camoflage. Different chameleon species are able to vary their coloration and pattern through combinations of pink, blue, red, orange, green, black, brown, light blue, yellow, turquoise, and purple. Color change in chameleons primarily functions as a means of camouflage, however, is more commonly used by the chameleon in social signaling to other animals, in reactions to temperature, and other conditions.
Interested in the science behind the camoflauge techinique of the chameleon?
...learn more at Wikipedia
The oldest described chameleon is Anqingosaurus Brevicephalus from the Middle Paleocene (about 58.7–61.7 million years ago) of China, perhaps sharing a common ancestor with iguanids and agamids more than 100 million years ago. Although fossils have been found in Africa, Europe, and Asia, more recent evidence suggests that chameleons most likely originated in mainland Africa.
* Chameleons vary greatly in size and body structure, with maximum total lengths varying from 22 mm (0.87 in) in male Brookesia nana (one of the world's smallest reptiles) to 68.5 cm (27.0 in) in the male Furcifer oustaleti.
* Many types have head or facial ornamentation, such as nasal protrusions, horn-like projections, or even large crests on top of their heads.
* Chameleons have the most distinctive eyes of any reptile.The upper and lower eyelids are joined, with only a pinhole large enough for the pupil to see through. Each eye can pivot and focus independently, allowing the chameleon to observe two different objects simultaneously. This gives them a full 360-degree arc of vision around their bodies.Chameleons can see in both visible and ultraviolet light. Like snakes, chameleons do not have an outer or a middle ear, so there is neither an ear-opening nor an eardrum. However, chameleons are not deaf: they can detect sound frequencies in the range of 200–600 Hz.
Image source: ThirdLittleFive by Wolfram Eberius on Flickr is liscensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
"I like being like a chameleon who transforms himself with each role".-Oscar Isaac
Careful consideration and research should be done before deciding to own a chameleon,
These are among the most sensitive reptiles one can own, requiring constant specialized attention and care from their human.
I hope this page has assisted in informed the reader about this beautiful creature.
Image source: YemensChameleon by Chris Parker on Flickr is liscenced under CC BY-ND 2.0