21/03/2025
*SAVED!*
Chameleons and snakes often will be found on roads on occasion seeking heat or moving between feeding grounds. This is one of the factors that make them endangered. They are also sold as pets, eaten by a variety of birds and snakes. This one was removed from the road and placed into the bush for continued conservation.
Chameleons are amazing reptiles in the natural world, and two of their standout features are their incredible eyes and their ability to change coloration.
Chameleons possess a pair of independently rotating eyes. Each eye can swivel almost 180 degrees horizontally and about 90 degrees vertically, giving them an impressive 360-degree field of vision when both eyes are in action. This unique feature allows them to keep one eye on potential prey while the other monitors for predators—essentially multitasking to stay alive!
What makes their eyes even more fascinating is the way their focus works. Each eye has a highly developed lens and a thin eyelid that leaves just a small pinhole exposed. When they lock both eyes on the same object, they achieve stereoscopic vision, giving them depth perception that’s perfect for nailing that one swift, precise shot with their lightning-quick tongues.
The chameleon's ability to change colour's isn't just for show, it's a sophisticated survival mechanism. Underneath their outermost layer of skin lies a layer of specialized cells called iridophores. These cells contain nanocrystals that can reflect light.
When the chameleon is relaxed, these nanocrystals are spaced closer together, reflecting shorter wavelengths of light like blues and greens, which often help them blend into their environment. If the chameleon feels threatened, excited, or wants to communicate, the nanocrystals shift and reflect longer wavelengths of light such as reds, oranges, and yellows, creating the different versions of colouration.
Color change can also be influenced by environmental factors like temperature or sunlight, with darker colors helping to absorb heat on colder days.