Why does the chameleon change color?

The chameleon is a reptile of the lizard suborder Escape family. It is a very strange animal with various characteristics and behaviors suitable for arboreal life. The most amazing thing is that the skin color of the chameleon will change with the change of background, temperature and mood. The phenomenon of color change is similar to the protective color and warning color of other creatures. Let's take a look at why the chameleon changes color.

Why does the chameleon change color?

The chameleon's discoloration depends on three layers of pigment cells in the skin. Unlike other reptiles, the chameleon's ability to change body color depends entirely on the pigment cells on the surface of the skin, which are filled with pigments of different colors. Anderson of the Department of Biology at Cornell University in New York explained in detail the chameleon's "discoloration principle": the chameleon skin has three layers of pigment cells, the deepest of which is made up of melanocytes, in which the melanin carried by the cells can blend with the upper layer of cells. The middle layer is composed of guanine cells, which mainly regulate dark blue pigment. The outermost cells are mainly yellow pigment and red pigment. Anderson said, "based on the neurological regulation mechanism, the pigment cells under the stimulation of the nerve will make the pigment blend and change between the layers, realizing a variety of changes in the color of the chameleon body."

Body color change of chameleon

1. In order to show his domination over the territory, the male chameleon showed a bright color against similar demonstrations that infringed upon the territory.

2. When she meets a mate she doesn't like, the female chameleon will refuse, and then the color will become dim and show flashing red spots.

3. In addition, when the chameleon intends to stir up a dispute and launch an attack, the body color will become very dark.

The role of chameleon in discoloration

1. Camouflage protection: the chameleon deserves to be a "master of camouflage" in nature. In order to escape the invasion of natural enemies and get close to its prey, this kind of reptile often changes its body color inadvertently according to its needs, and then blends itself into its surroundings without moving. It can be said that the chameleon's chameleon is actually a camouflage weapon to make up for its slowness, allowing it to escape predators and facilitate predation.

2. information transmission: according to the latest findings of animal experts, chameleon body color change is not only for camouflage, but also for information transmission between chameleons. It is easy to communicate with peers, which is equivalent to human language, thus expressing the intention of the chameleon.

The color and mood of the chameleon

1. Chameleons change their skin color according to temperature, mood and ultraviolet rays, which play an important role in predicting their social activity and activity. When the female leopard chameleon has offspring or wants to tell the male that they have no desire to mate, the orange markings turn brown or black, and they tell each other directly through their body color.

2. The epidermal cells of the chameleon expand and contract according to the changes of external light and temperature as well as chemical reactions in the body. An angry chameleon, for example, may turn bright yellow because when it is angry, the yellow cells expand, blocking the reflection of the blue light below.

3. For chameleons, the depths of their skin determine their beautiful appearance. The calm chameleon looks green because there are no fully contracted yellow cells that reflect part of the blue light.

4. When the male chameleon shows its dominance, the color becomes brighter. When the female indicates hostility to the male or is unwilling to accept an identity, the color darkens or erythema appears, and the aggressive chameleon becomes darker.

5. The chameleon turns yellow or red when angry and black when attacking. When you see the chameleon showing these colors, you should pay attention to it, do not mess with it, or you will have a greater chance of being bitten by it!