It's green. . . then red. . . then yellow. . . then brown. . . then blue. The amazing chameleon (kuh MEEL yun) can change color often and quickly. If you watch one at the right moment, you can actually see the color change.

Chameleons live in northern Africa, the Middle East, India, and the island of Madagascar. Other animals that live closer to home can change color too.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Glossary Words: camouflage | chameleon | chromatophores | melanin | pigment | predator

LINKS

Game: Chameleon Rescue
Ten chameleons have escaped from the city zoo. They won't survive long on busy streets. Can you get them home safely?

Chameleon Information Network
See photos, learn about chameleon conservation, and get tips on caring for pet chameleons.

The Robot Zoo: Chameleon
Watch a "chameleon" catch a fly with its tongue, grip a branch, and look two ways at once.