what is it in the chameleon that changes their color?

Answer 1

When the chamelion changes colors, what is happening is on a cellular level (this means that all the action is taking place within the cells of the animal's skin.). In the cell are pigments (pigments are what make freckles and the color of a dark skinned person). When someone gets tan from being in the sun, the pigment is activated and secretes melanin, which is the pigment of our skin. Chamelions also have pigments and they can change them without the sun! They change the pigment according to what color their background is. A few other animals also change color, if you're interested in more examples. The most impressive, in my opinion, is the squid. Squids can change colors very quickly- it looks like somebody is flashing a colored light on their body! We understand how the pigment is released in the cells, but we aren't sure how the chamelion knows what color to change into (fashion sense?). In most cases, color change is for camoflague, but sometimes an excited squid will also change color. So it can be affected by "moods" as well as the environment.

Answer 2

Some Chameleon species are able to change their body color, which has made them one of the most famous lizard families. Contrary to popular belief, this change of color is not purely an adaptation to the surroundings (although the surroundings play a large part) but also an expression of the physical and physiological condition of the lizard. The skin color is changed under influence of mood, light, and temperature. The skin color also plays an important part in communication and rivalry fights.

Chameleons have specialized cells, collectively called chromatophores, that lie in layers under their transparent outer skin. The cells in the upper layer, called xanthophores and erythrophores, contain yellow and red pigments respectively. Below these is another layer of cells called iridophores or guanophores, and they contain the colorless crystalline substance guanine. These reflect amongst others the blue part of incident light. If the upper layer of chromatophores appear mainly yellow, the reflected light becomes green (blue plus yellow). A layer of dark melanin containing melanophores is situated even deeper under the reflective iridophores. The melanophores influence the 'lightness' of the reflected light. All these different pigment cells can rapidly relocate their pigments, thereby influencing the color of the chameleon.

Answer 3

A chameleon's skin has a clear outer layer over a layer of cells called chromatophores which are similar to the pixels on your television. The layer of chromatophores is made up of an upper layer of pigmented cells called xanthophores (yellow), and erythrophores (red). Below that is a layer of cells called iridophores or guanophores (blue). Below that is a layer of melanophores which control the intensity of reflected light. The chameleon can rapidly relocate the pigments in these cells creating many different colors and simple patterns.

Interesting fact: The abilities of the chameleon are rather limited compared to other lesser known creatures out there. There are sea creatures capable of virtually all colors in any shade with iridescence and can match virtually any pattern.

Answer 4

A chameleon will change color when it senses danger. This remarkable member of the lizard family can change color to match its background or, at least, to become almost unrecognizable.

The ranges of colors and patterns of the various species differ widely, but most chameleons can become yellow or cream, green or dark brown. They can also adapt spots either dark or light depending on the color of the ground.

Apart from its response to danger, the chameleon will change color according to the light and temperature. This mechanism is controlled from the nervous systems and involves the dispersion or concentration of color pigments in the creature's skin.

Answer 5

The skin colour is changed under influence of mood, light, and temperature. The skin colour also plays an important part in communication and rivalry fights. A layer of dark melanin containing melanophores is situated even deeper under the reflective iridophores. The melanophores influence the 'lightness' of the reflected light. All these different pigment cells can rapidly relocate their pigments, thereby influencing the colour of the chameleon.

Answer 6

Well, all chameleons change colors and they eat a mix of crickets and worms.

Answer 7

becoz chameleon have chromopalst in their body cell. with the help of chromoplast they change their color according to sorrouding and need.

Answer 8

There are more than 100 types of chameleons. Most change from brown to green and back. But some turn almost any color. A change can occur in 20 seconds! How does this color "magic" happen?

Chameleons are born with special cells that have a color, or pigment, in them. These cells lie in layers under the chameleon's outer skin. They are called chromatophores (kro MAT uh fors). The top layers of chromatophores have red or yellow pigment. The lower layers have blue or white pigment. When these pigment cells change, the chameleon's skin color changes.

Chromatophores change because they get a message from the brain. The message tells the cells to enlarge or to shrink. These actions cause cell pigments to mix—just like paint.

A chemical called melanin (MEH la nuhn) also helps chameleons turn color. Melanin fibers can spread like spiderwebs through layers of pigment cells. Their presence causes skin to darken.

WHY CHAMELEONS CHANGE COLOR

Many people think chameleons change color to blend in with their surroundings. Scientists disagree. Their studies show that light, temperature, and mood cause chameleons to change color. Sometimes changing color can make the chameleon more comfortable. Sometimes it helps the animal communicate with other chameleons.

Light: Say a brown chameleon decides to rest in the sun. The chameleon's brain may tell the yellow cells in its skin to become larger than the blue cells below. Suddenly the chameleon turns green. This lighter color helps the skin reflect bright sunlight.

Temperature: If a chameleon is cold, it might turn a darker color. Why? Because darker colors absorb more heat than light ones.

Mood: Mood probably causes most color changes. For example, if a panther chameleon gets angry, red and yellow replace its normal color. A chemical called melanin rises toward the skin's surface, causing areas of the skin to darken. The animal's new look tells other chameleons, "I'm ready to fight!"

When a male wants to attract a female, he will wear his most flashy colors, as if to say, "Hey baby, want to hang out?" One type of male chameleon will change from brown to purple and light blue. His eyelids may even turn yellow with green spots. What female chameleon wouldn't fall for such a handsome guy?

OTHER COLOR CHANGERS

Many other animals also have chromatophores that let them change color. Often these creatures change color to camouflage (KAM uh flaj), or hide, themselves.

Golden Tortoise Beetle: For example, a golden tortoise beetle is usually bright gold. But it can change to a dull orange-brown with dark spots. The darker colors make the beetle look like a ladybug. Many birds find beetles very tasty. But they don't like to eat ladybugs. They may leave a beetle alone if it looks like its darker cousin. In this case, changing color helps the beetle hide from predators, or animals that might eat it.

Bark Spider: This animal changes color to become a better predator. It can turn brown, gray, green, or yellow. These colors let the spider blend in with trees, stones, and leaves as it waits for insects. Often the insects do not see their predator until it's too late. And so they become the spider's next snack!

Flounder: Some sea creatures also use color to camouflage themselves. The flounder takes on dull, spotted coloring to blend in with the rocky seafloor. Then it just lies there and waits for tasty animals to swim by. Other times the flounder turns an almost see-through color to avoid its own predators when swimming near the water's surface.

UNDERSTANDING COLOR CODES

If you ever get to watch an animal change color, see if you can figure out why. Is the animal hot or cold? Calm or angry? Hiding or showing off? Watch carefully. You could become an expert in the language of quick-change artists.

Text by Sharon Katz Cooper
This article appears on pages 4-7 of our October 2002 issue.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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