KidZone Animals
Chameleons: General

Chameleon’s Eye
Photographer: Umberto Salvagnin; License CC BY 2.0

Chameleons are cold blooded reptiles that come in surprising sizes and can be found in warm places (habitats).  Many species of chameleons can change colour due to a double layer of skin cells, which allows for camouflage and communication. The inside layer of these cells contains crystals that allow colours to reflect and move around!

Safe to say, chameleons have impressive senses. Perhaps then it comes as no surprise that their most important sense is the sense of sight. As scientist Devi Stuart-Fox points out, chameleons’ eyes are much like telescopes! If that's not cool enough, each eye can move in a different direction at once. Extreme eye movement and excellent vision mean that a chameleon can connect with other chameleons more easily. Amazing eyes also mean that chameleons can protect themselves from predators quickly!

A chameleon blends in and responds to the environment around it. Since chameleons are such unique social animals, humans have become fascinated with them. Nowadays, people even use the term “chameleon” to describe themselves and others!