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This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Chameleons have built a pretty solid reputation on two commonly held beliefs: They can stealthily blend into their surroundings, and they are the ideal subjects for iconic '80s anthems. But it turns out one of those supposed facts isn't quite right — in fact, everything you think you know about chameleons and their color-changing capabilities is probably backward.
Scientists long believed that chameleons change their coloring similarly to the way octopuses switch shades , but biologists and physicists somewhat recently realized that something else entirely is going on. When anything agitates or exhilarates the chameleon, things start to get interesting. In a study published in the journal Nature Communications , researchers with the University of Geneva in Switzerland revealed that iridophores act like tiny mirrors that selectively reflect and absorb different colors.
While a lot of animals have color patterns — birds and fish for example — the cells that make their vibrant displays possible typically absorb or reflect certain regions of the visible light spectrum. Chameleon cells are different — iridophores can actually absorb or reflect any and all colors of the spectrum. There are quite a few species, so there is a lot of variance. Among all of them, they can change all different types of colors — even colors that aren't visible to the human eye!
The pigments inside the iridophores are typically contained inside tiny sacs, but when a chameleon's mood changes, its nervous system activates the cells to contract or expand. When the animal is relaxed, the cells stay close together and reflect short wavelengths, like blue. A rush of excitement pushes those cells farther apart, enabling each iridophore to reflect longer wavelengths, like red, orange and yellow.
Chameleons will also use bold color changes to communicate. Males become bright to signal their dominance and turn dark in aggressive encounters. Females can let males know if they're willing to mate by changing the color of their skin. Owners of chameleons can learn to read their pet's mood based on the color of its skin. So how do they pull off these colorful changes? The outermost layer of the chameleon's skin is transparent.
Thanks wonderopolis I'll do a post right after this! Nov 7, Please let me know why chameleon change its colors? Except the cold and warm.. Thank you :. Nov 2, Apr 4, Thanks for visiting! Oct 13, Jess Jun 30, This isn't right though?
Their cells actually shift positions and sizes to change colors. Jul 2, Jessica Feb 18, Wonderopolis Feb 20, Wonderopolis Oct 6, Yaretzi Sep 2, Layla Sep 2, Wonderopolis Sep 2, We're really glad you enjoyed the video, Yaretzi!
Mdh Sep 2, I thought that when chameleons touch anything they change colors. Hi, omg girl! Thanks for stopping by Wonderopolis for a quick hello! Miss Flawless Sep 2, Jordan Sep 2, Taliyah Sep 2, I have four lepard print lizards. We're glad you enjoyed this Wonder of the Day, Taliyah! Sheza Jul 27, Wonderopolis Jul 27, Thanks for spending time at Wonderopolis today!
Addyson Mr. Koomler class Feb 26, I like the video and all, but it didn't show me how it can change it's whole body color. Wonderopolis Feb 26, I loved this video. It was so cool to see the chameleons start out as boring colors and then start to change into vibrant colors! I love chameleons because I think they're very unique on how they change colors because of their moods. I wonder if the colors they change into is the same as a mood ring, necklace, earrings, etc.
I sometimes wish that we could change colors just to blend in with objects. This would be great when I play hide and seek! I personally don't like reading about lizards because they really creep me out. I learned alot about chameleons with out having to read about other lizards so I really enjoyed this wonder just about chameleons. Wonderopolis Dec 1, Ella Oct 1, I loved seeing the chameleon move but I would like more facts on the life style of it.
Thank you this was an interesting article. Wonderopolis Oct 1, Wonderopolis Sep 24, Rayla Apr 25, Chameleons change colors to blend into trees and other things.
Wonderopolis Apr 25, Bailey Apr 11, I cant believe that they can change up to 7 colors! I am very interested with this. Wonderopolis Apr 12, Cool5 Apr 9, That was awesome!
How do they change? How old can a chameleon live? This is Cool5 signing out. Rockin Room 16 Student Mar 29, Wow cool video also how do those lizards change color? Wonderopolis Mar 29, I've always wondered why chameleons change color and just all about chameleons really and now I've found the answer but I could not have done without my fith grade teachers and them introducing this website to me if any teachers are on here you should introduce this web to your students that is what one of my teachers did then we had a homework assignment.
How do you make those smiley faces? See you next week. Wonderopolis Feb 21, I think the video was very cool and I wish you could make more like it. Wonderopolis Jan 18, I think it's really cool that chameleons change color to blend in with everything around them. Wonderopolis Dec 21, We're so glad you enjoyed our Wonder, Tamzin! Thanks for sharing your comment!
Cassie Dec 10, Wonderopolis Dec 10, Thanks so much, Cassie! We're glad you enjoyed the color today! Monkey geek Oct 3, Hey sorry that day I was angry so I thought of that when I send you that message so I thought it was mean but I just want to tell you that I'm sorry anyways I know that chameleons do not change the colour so that's a fact and please tell everyone in this website that chameleons do not change the colour that's fantasy so I will come to that website everyday okay and also can you post the website about the monkeys or apes because I love the monkeys and apes and you know my user name is monkey geek so Wonderopolis Oct 3, Monkey geek Oct 2, I do not want to go to wonderopoils any more because that information is all wrong!
Carlos Oct 2, Hey I already knew that they change colors but never knew why it's cool though. This is a cool website, well bye.
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