Chameleons have several unique features, of which their ability to change color is but one – and often exaggerated at that! In keeping with their arboreal habits, all chameleons have a prehensile tail that is often coiled like a watch spring when not being used to grasp a branch. The toes are fused into two groups and opposed to one another, so that they act as pincers, again for grasping, branches, and the body is greatly flattened from side to side so that they can balance more easily. Their camouflage is legendary – apart from looking rather like a green leaf, chameleons enhance this deception by moving very slowly and swaying from side to side as they go.
Male chameleons are more brightly colored than females of the same species and, if the species is one with horns or crests, those of the male will be larger and more extravagant. When it comes to feeding, they have two other unique adaptations. Their eyes rotate independently of one another, so that a hunting chameleon can stalk its prey and keep a wary eye open for predators at the same time. Only when it is about to reach for its prey do both eyes focus on the same point for a second or else. Then the chameleon demonstrates its final “trick” the tongue can be extended a huge distance, often equivalent to the length of its body, and ends in sticky tip so that the prey is knocked off its perch and withdrawn into the chameleon’s mouth is one swift operation.
Male chameleons are more brightly colored than females of the same species and, if the species is one with horns or crests, those of the male will be larger and more extravagant. When it comes to feeding, they have two other unique adaptations. Their eyes rotate independently of one another, so that a hunting chameleon can stalk its prey and keep a wary eye open for predators at the same time. Only when it is about to reach for its prey do both eyes focus on the same point for a second or else. Then the chameleon demonstrates its final “trick” the tongue can be extended a huge distance, often equivalent to the length of its body, and ends in sticky tip so that the prey is knocked off its perch and withdrawn into the chameleon’s mouth is one swift operation.
