Chameleon
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Arpingstone
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{{otheruses}}
{{distinguish|Charmeleon}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Chameleon
| image = Camaleón.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]]
| ordo = [[Squamata]]
| subordo = [[Iguania]]
| familia = '''Chamaeleonidae'''
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision =
''[[Bradypodion]]''<br>
''[[Calumma]]''<br>
''[[Chamaeleo]]''<br>
''[[Furcifer]]''<br>
''[[Kinyongia]]''<br>
''[[Nadzikambia]]''<br>
''[[Brookesia]]''<br>
''[[Rieppeleon]]''<br>
''[[Rhampholeon]]''
}}
'''Chameleons''' (family '''Chamaeleonidae''') are [[squamata|squamates]] that belong to one of the best-known [[lizard]] families. The word is the Latinized form of the [[Ancient Greek]] ''χαμαιλέων'' (khamaileon), from ''χαμαί'' (khamai) "on the earth, on the ground" + ''λέων'' (leon) "lion", translating the [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] ''nēš qaqqari'', "ground lion".<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chameleon Dictionary.com entry for "chameleon"]</ref>
== Description ==
[[Image:Chameleon gab fbi.png|left|thumb|Tongue structure]]
Chameleons vary greatly in size and body structure, with total length from approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in ''[[Brookesia minima]]'', to 31 inches (79 cm) in the male ''[[Malagasy Giant Chameleon|Furcifer oustaleti]]''.<ref>{{cite book | last=Glaw | first=Frank | coauthors=Vences, Miguel | title='''A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar''' 2nd edition | publisher=M. Vences & F. Glaw Verlags GbR | date=1994 | location=Köln | id=ISBN 3-929449-01-3 }}</ref> There is a species, thought to be unique to [[Malawi]]'s [[Mount Mulanje]], which is 0.6 in (1 cm) across when fully grown{{Fact|date=June 2007}}. Many have head or facial ornamentation, such as nasal protrusions, or horn-like projections in the case of ''[[Chamaeleo jacksonii]]'', or large crests on top of their head, like ''[[Veiled Chameleon|Chamaeleo calyptratus]]''. Many species are [[sexual dimorphism|sexually dimorphic]], and males are typically much more ornamented than the female chameleons.
Chameleon species have in common their foot structure, eyes, lack of ears, and tongue.
Chameleons are [[zygodactyl]]ic: on each foot the five toes are fused into a group of two and a group of three, giving the foot a [[tongs]]-like appearance. These specialized feet allow chameleons to grip tightly to narrow branches. Each toe is equipped with a sharp claw to gain traction on surfaces such as bark when climbing. The claws make it easy to see how many toes are fused into each part of the foot: two toes on the outside of each front foot and three on the inside, and the reverse pattern on each hind foot.
Chameleons have a long tail that is able to curl up. It is used to balance on tree limbs. Sometimes it is used as a weapon. A chameleon uses its tail almost like a fifth leg.
Their eyes are the most distinctive among the reptiles. The upper and lower eyelids are joined, with only a pinhole large enough for the pupil to see through. They can rotate and focus separately to observe two different objects simultaneously. It in effect gives them a full 360-degree arc of vision around their body. When prey is located, both eyes can be focused in the same direction, giving sharp [[stereoscopic vision]] and [[depth perception]]. They have very good eye sight for reptiles, letting them see small insects from a long(5-10cm) distance.
They lack a [[vomeronasal organ]]. Also, like [[snake]]s, they do not have an outer or a middle [[ear]]. This suggests that chameleons might be [[deaf]], although it should be noted that snakes can sense vibration using a bone called the [[quadrate]]im. Furthermore, some or maybe all chameleons, can communicate via vibrations that travel through solid material like branches.
Chameleons have very long [[tongue]]s (sometimes longer than their own body length) which they are capable of rapidly extending out of the mouth. The tongue extends out faster than human eyes can follow, at around 26 body lengths per second. The tongue hits the prey in about 30 thousandths of a second.<ref>[http://www.wonderquest.com/escalators-chameleon-tongue.htm A Lethal Lashing Tongue]</ref> The tongue has a sticky tip on the end, which serves to catch prey items. The tongue's tip is a bulbous ball of muscle, and as it hits its prey, it rapidly forms a small suction cup. Once the tongue sticks to a prey item, it is drawn quickly back into the mouth, where the chameleon's strong jaws crush it and it is consumed. Even a small chameleon is capable of eating a large [[locust]] or [[mantis]]. [[Ultraviolet light]] is part of the visible spectrum for chameleons.<ref>[http://www.chameleonnews.com/lighting1.html Chameleon News, August 2004]</ref> Chameleons exposed to ultraviolet light show increased social behavior and activity levels, are more inclined to bask and feed and are also more likely to reproduce as it has a positive effect on the [[pineal gland]].
== Distribution and habitat ==
[[Image:Male Chamelion.JPG|A male chameleon in [[Madagascar]]|250px|thumb]]
More than 160 species of Chameleons are known, arranged in nine genera. The main distribution of Chameleons is in [[Africa]] and [[Madagascar]], and other tropical regions, although some species are also found in parts of southern [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. There are introduced, feral populations of [[Veiled Chameleon|veiled]] and [[Chamaeleo jacksonii|Jackson's]] chameleons in [[Hawaii]] and isolated pockets of feral [[Chamaeleo jacksonii|Jackson's]] chameleons have been reported in [[California]] and [[Florida]].
Chameleons inhabit all kinds of [[tropics|tropical]] and montane [[rain forest]]s, [[savanna]]s and sometimes semi-[[desert]]s and [[steppe]]s. They are mostly [[arboreal]] and are often found in [[tree]]s or occasionally on smaller bushes. Some smaller species live on the ground under foliage.
== Reproduction ==
[[Image:Chameleon - Tanzania - Usambara Mountains.jpg|thumb|left|West Usambara Two-Horned Chameleon (''Kinyongia multituberculata'') in the [[Usambara mountains]], [[Tanzania]].]]
Chameleons are mostly [[oviparous]], some being [[ovoviviparous]].
The oviparous species lay eggs after a 3-6 week [[gestation period]]. The female will climb down to the ground and begin digging a hole, anywhere from 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) deep depending on the species. The female turns herself around at the bottom of the hole and deposits her eggs. Once finished, the female buries the eggs and leaves the nesting site. Clutch sizes vary greatly with species. Small ''[[Brookesia]]'' species may only lay 2-4 eggs, while large Veiled chameleons (''[[Chamaeleo calyptratus]]'') have been known to lay clutches of 80-100 eggs. Clutch sizes can also vary greatly among the same species. Eggs generally hatch after 4-12 months, again depending on species. The eggs of [[Parson's Chameleon]] (''[[Calumma parsonii]]''), a species which is rare in captivity, are believed to take upwards of 24 months to hatch.
The [[ovoviviparous]] species, such as the [[Jackson's Chameleon]] have a 5-6 month gestation period. The newborn are in a transparent membrane and they are still sleeping, once they touch the ground or branch, they will wake up and attempt to crawl out of the membrane.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} The female can have 8-30 live young at once.
== Feeding habits ==
Chameleons generally eat [[locust]]s, [[Mantodea|mantis]], [[cricket (insect)|cricket]]s, grasshopper and other [[insect]]s, but larger chameleons have been known to eat small [[bird]]s and other lizards. A few species, such as ''Chamaeleo calyptratus'' or [[Jackson's Chameleon]] will consume small amounts of plant matter. Chameleons prefer running water to still water.
== Gut-Loading ==
Chameleons consume a variety of [[insect]]s, but before the insects can be fed to them, it's best to "gut load" or fill the insects with nutrients. This has to be done because chameleons require lots of [[vitamins]] and [[minerals]]. A good diet for insects would be [[carrots]], [[potatoes]], [[fish]] flakes (tropical), dry puppy food, dark, leafy greens, etc. It is also a good idea to dust them with vitamin and mineral powder, such as Zoo Med's Reptivite.
== Change of color ==
[[Image:Chamaeleo chamaeleon Frightened thus black.JPG|thumb|left|This Mediterranean Chameleon (''Chamaeleo chamaeleon'') turned black after being frightened by a dog]]All chameleon species are able to change their skin color. Changing color is an expression of the physical and psychological condition of the lizard, not, as is commonly believed, to match their surroundings.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://science.howstuffworks.com/animal-camouflage2.htm | title=How Animal Camouflage Works | publisher=How Stuff Works | first=Tom | last=Harris | accessdate=2006-11-13}}</ref> The color also plays a part in communication.
Chameleons change their color in response to light exposure and ambient temperature, as well as to express their mood. Emotions and attraction of a mate can induce the color change.<ref>[http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0210/articles/mainarticle.html]</ref>
Different chameleon species are able to change different colors which can include pink, blue, red, orange, green, black, brown and yellow. <ref>National Geographic. May 2007. P. 10.</ref><ref>[http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0210/articles/mainarticle.html National Geographic Explorer (Student Magazine) - Featured Article<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Chameleons are naturally coloured for their surroundings as a camouflage. However, recent research has indicated that Chameleons may use colour changes as a method of communication, including to make themselves more attractive to potential mates.<ref>[http://biology.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0060025 Stuart-Fox, D., & Moussalli, A. (2008). Selection for social signalling drives the evolution of chameleon colour change. ''Public Library of Science Biology, 6'', e25.]</ref>
Chameleons have specialized cells, collectively called [[chromatophore]]s, that lie in layers under their transparent outer skin. The cells in the upper layer, called [[xanthophore]]s and [[erythrophore]]s, contain yellow and red [[pigment]]s respectively. Below these is another layer of cells called [[iridophore]]s or [[guanophore]]s, and they contain the colourless crystalline substance [[guanine]]. These reflect, among others, the blue part of incident [[light]]. If the upper layer of chromatophores appears mainly yellow, the reflected light becomes [[green]] ([[blue]] plus [[yellow]]). A layer of dark [[melanin]] containing melanophores is situated even deeper under the reflective iridophores. The melanophores influence the 'lightness' of the reflected light. All these pigment cells can rapidly relocate their pigments, thereby influencing the colour of the chameleon.
[[Image:mellers.chameleon.bristol.zoo.arp.jpg|thumb|right|Meller’s Chameleon ''Chamaeleo melleri'']]
==Video==
[[Image:Camaleón - Calidad- 5.ogg]]
==Notes==
<references/>
== External links ==
{{wikispecies|Chamaeleonidae}}
*[http://www.chameleonnews.com/ Chameleons! Online E-zine]
*[http://www.adcham.com The Advanced Chameleon Keepers website]
*[http://www.chameleonforums.com The Chameleon Forums]
*[http://www.keepingchameleons.com/ Forums/Live Chat/DIY Videos/Chameleon care and information for beginner and advanced keepers @KeepingChameleons.com]
*[http://www.chameleonsonline.com/ Chameleons Online: Help Forum - currently almost 2100 members and over 19000 posts]
*[http://www.chamaeleonidae.com/ Chameleon Care and Information Center website]
*[http://www.reptile-database.org/ Reptile Database]
*[http://www.afriherp.org The African Herpetology Website]
*[http://caresheets.net/lizards/jacksons-chameleon.html Jackson's Chameleon Care Information at Caresheets.net]
*[http://photos.neuralnetworks.in/066.JPG Chameleon picture taken in South India]
*[http://www.screameleons.com/portal/alias__Screameleons/lang__en-US/tabID__3382/DesktopDefault.aspx/ Panther Chameleon Photos]
[[Category:Lizards]]
[[Category:Chameleons]]
[[Category:Animals that can change color]]
[[Category:Greek loanwords]]
{{Link FA|pt}}
[[ar:حرباء]]
[[bg:Хамелеони]]
[[cs:Chameleonovití]]
[[da:Kamæleon]]
[[de:Chamäleons]]
[[eo:Ĥameleono]]
[[es:Chamaeleonidae]]
[[fr:Chamaeleonidae]]
[[gd:Leòmhann-làir]]
[[hr:Kameleoni]]
[[io:Kameleono]]
[[it:Chamaeleonidae]]
[[he:זיקיות]]
[[lb:Chamäleonen]]
[[lt:Chameleonai]]
[[ku:Margîse]]
[[hu:Kaméleonfélék]]
[[nl:Kameleons]]
[[ja:カメレオン科]]
[[no:Kameleoner]]
[[nn:Kameleon]]
[[pl:Kameleony]]
[[pt:Camaleão]]
[[ru:Хамелеон]]
[[simple:Chameleon]]
[[fi:Kameleontit]]
[[sv:Kameleonter]]
[[ta:பச்சோந்தி]]
[[tg:Бӯқаламун]]
[[tl:Hunyango]]
[[zh:變色龍]]