How Do Chameleons Blend Into Their Background?
Of all the bizarre creatures of the Animal Kingdom,
chameleons easily rise above the rest. They have an extremely long, sticky
tongue that can be fired out of their mouths in a fraction of a second, a
unique set of eyeballs that enable 360-degree vision, and, of course, their
calling card: their immaculate camouflage. But how exactly are chameleons able
to change their skin color?
Well, the key to the chameleon’s camouflage lies in its
skin. Beneath their skin, is a layer of cells, called iridophore cells, which
have the ability to store pigments and reflect light. By exciting or relaxing
the skin, the chameleon can stretch or compress the iridophore cells. In doing
so, they adjust the distance between these cells.
When the distance between these light-reflecting cells change,
the wavelength of the light reflected is altered, which is observed as changing
colors.
But that still begs the question: How do they match their
skin colors to the background?
Chameleons use color as a method of signaling domination,
surrender, sexual receptivity, etc. within themselves and less as a defense
mechanism against predators.
But coincidence or not, chameleons are still one of the
strangest creatures on our planet.
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