Chameleons are well known for their ability to change colors, but not all chameleons possess this amazing skill. Chameleons change colors for camouflage and communication. The degree to which different chameleon species can change color varies greatly depending on their environments and signaling needs.
How do chameleons change colors?
Chameleons change color using specialized cells called chromatophores that contain pigments. By dispersing or concentrating pigments within chromatophores, chameleons can alter their skin colors. Chromatophores contain one of three types of pigment:
- Xanthophores – yellow and orange pigments
- Iridophores -reflective plates that produce blues, greens, and whites
- Melanophores – black, brown, and gray pigments
Specialized neurons control the shape of the chromatophores. These neurons signal the cell to enlarge or shrink, which changes the color we see by exposing or hiding the pigments. A chameleon’s ability to shift between colors relies on mixing various levels of pigment concentrations and reflections from iridophores.
Why do chameleons change colors?
Chameleons primarily change colors for camouflage and communication. Camouflage allows chameleons to blend into their surroundings to avoid predators and sneak up on prey.
Communication refers to signals within a chameleon’s species. Color changes communicate territorial displays, mating signals, aggression, and mood. For example, some species adopt darker colors when angry and stripe patterns or bright colors to attract mates.
Can all chameleon species change colors?
No, not all chameleon species can change colors. There are over 200 chameleon species, and they display varying degrees of color change:
| Ability to Change Color | Example Species |
|---|---|
| High color change | Panther chameleon, veiled chameleon |
| Moderate color change | Jackson’s chameleon, carpet chameleon |
| Low/no color change | Pygmy leaf chameleon, nose-horned chameleon |
Factors impacting a species’ ability include environment, signaling needs, anatomy, and physiology. Let’s take a closer look at how these factors influence color change in chameleons.
Environment
Chameleons from bright, varied environments like rainforests tend to have greater abilities to change color. The veiled chameleon from Yemen and Saudi Arabia can display an incredible range of colors and patterns. This helps them camouflage amongst rainforest vegetation.
In contrast, chameleons from monotone environments like deserts have less need for color change. For example, the pygmy leaf chameleon lives among brown twigs matching its permanent brown and grey colors.
Signaling
Brightly colored chameleons generally have greater color changing abilities. The panther chameleon from Madagascar has neon blue, green, orange, and yellow on its pallet for bold signaling.
On the other hand, the horned pygmy chameleon is dull brown and relies on small horns and bulges to signal instead of shifting colors.
Anatomy
Chameleons have color changing cells distributed across different layers of their skin depending on species. Chameleons like the veiled chameleon have chromatophores deeper in their dermis allowing more dynamic color shifts.
In contrast, most colored chromatophores concentrate near the surface in species like Rieppeleon brevicaudatus restricting color change.
Physiology
Lastly, a chameleon’s physiological ability to mobilize pigments contributes to color changing capacity. Chameleons with denser concentrations of chromatophores like panther chameleons have an advantage.
Species with physiological constraints exhibit more limited color change. For example, temperature affects enzymatic processes involved in pigment dispersal and concentration in some species.
Chameleon Species and Color Changing Abilities
Let’s take a closer look at a few chameleon species exhibiting different degrees of color change:
Veiled Chameleon – High Color Change
The veiled chameleon from Yemen and Saudi Arabia has incredible color shifting abilities. It can display a rainbow of colors like red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, black, brown, and white. Its skin patterns are also variable with stripes, spots, and bands.
Veiled chameleons use this diversity primarily for signaling. Females indicate receptiveness through colors and patterns, while rival males intimidate with stripes and blocks of vibrant colors.
Panther Chameleon – High Color Change
Panther chameleons from Madagascar have phenomenal color change abilities. They exhibit green, blue, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, black, brown and pattern variations.
Color and pattern shifts are used for camouflage in vegetation and communication. For example, males intensify coloration to defend territories and attract females.
Jackson’s Chameleon – Moderate Color Change
Jackson’s chameleon from Kenya and Tanzania has more restrained color change abilities than veiled or panther chameleons. It displays green, dull brown, and some mottled patterns for camouflage and signaling.
Jackson’s chameleons are better at changing opacity than shifting distinct colors. They can lighten skin to appear invisible against bright foliage or concentrate melanin to darken against bark.
Pygmy Leaf Chameleon – Low/No Color Change
The tiny pygmy leaf chameleon from Madagascar does not change colors. It resembles a leaf stalk with immovable mottled brown, tan and grey colors and leaf-like projections on its nose and head.
Their small size helps them blend into vegetation. And they sway back and forth mimicking plant movements in the wind to avoid predators.
Conclusion
In summary, substantial color change capacity is found mainly in chameleon species from vivid rainforest environments like the veiled and panther chameleon. Moderate abilities occur in chameleons from mixed habitats like Jackson’s chameleon.
Minimal color shifting is seen in species living in monotone desert or scrubland environments that rely more on camouflage through patterns and morphology. However, most chameleons exhibit some degree of color change, as even subtle shifts can provide an adaptive advantage.
A chameleon’s environment, signaling needs, anatomy, and physiology interact to influence color change capacities. Chameleons employ an incredible array of adaptations like color, patterns, movements and shape to thrive in their unique niches across Africa, the Middle East and southern Europe.
