The Chameleon

Scientific Name: Chamaeleo Chamaeleon

Common Name: Chameleon

Size: 1.3 inches to 27 inches

Weight: Female; 90-100 grams Male; 100-200 grams

Range: There are approximately 160 species of chameleons and they range from: Africa, Madagascar, Spain and Portugal, across south Asia, to Sri Lanka, and have been introduced to Hawaii, California and Florida.

Food: Crickets, Grasshoppers, Worms, and Flies.

Why this animal was picked: I have always admired chameleons and their ability to change due to their surroundings.

Other Information: 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. 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 also helps chameleons turn color. Melanin fibers can spread like spiderwebs through layers of pigment cells. Their presence causes skin to darken.




If you have any questions or comments please email me at animallover2724@gmail.com or leave a comment a the bottom of this post.Thank You For Visiting Emily's Animal Investigations, and I hope you visit again!,Emily James