More and more people like to raise some cold-blooded animals, such as snakes, lizards, spiders, etc. today I'll talk about the very popular chameleon recently. The following is why my chameleon changes color. Welcome to read.
Why does a chameleon change color?
The reason why a chameleon changes color depends on the three layers of pigment cells in its skin. Unlike other reptiles, the change of chameleon's body color depends on the pigment cells in the surface layer of the skin, which are filled with pigments of different colors.
Anderson of the Department of biology of Cornell University in New York explained in detail the chameleon's "discoloration principle": there are three layers of pigment cells in the chameleon's skin. The deepest layer is composed of melanocytes, in which the melanin carried by the cells can interact with the upper layer of cells. The middle layer is composed of guanine cells, which mainly regulates dark blue pigment, and the outermost cells are mainly yellow pigment and red pigment.
When the chameleon's eyes feel the change of external color, this information will cause the pigment cells of the skin to change color. In each cell of the chameleon's skin, there are four pigments: red, yellow, brown and green. These four pigments will expand and contract.
For example, as soon as the green pigment is stimulated by grass green, it immediately stretches out like a branch and fills the whole cell. At the same time, the other three pigments shrink into fine spots. At this time, the cells turn green.
If the chameleon jumps into the red flowers, the red pigment will immediately stretch out and cover the whole cell when stimulated. The other three pigments shrink into micro dots at the same time, and the cell will turn red again.
Chameleon's skin is composed of countless cells. Each cell will change, and the chameleon will naturally change color.
The role of chameleon?
Communication
The purpose of chameleon changing body color is more for communication, not just for camouflage.
Chameleons interact with each other by turning green, blue, yellow, red, brown, white or black. Contrary to popular belief, chameleons do not simply change their colors according to their surroundings, but show their mood and state through the color of their bodies.
Temperature
Chameleons change their skin color according to the surrounding temperature and the intensity of ultraviolet light, which indicates the temperature change of their environment.
Mood
When a chameleon is angry, it may turn tender yellow. The chameleon's epidermal cells expand and contract according to the changes of external light and temperature and internal chemical reactions. When it is angry, the Yellow cells expand and hinder the reflection of blue light in the lower layer, which will show the characteristics of yellow body phase.
High crested chameleons, their body color is green in calm, and dense dark spots appear on their bodies when they are nervous. When sleeping, it will turn light yellow green. During estrus, females will have bright yellow or yellowish brown patches on their sides. The background color of pregnant female chameleons usually turns black gray, dotted with dark green and bright yellow stripes.
Physiological state
Female leopard chameleons have bright yellow or yellowish brown patches on their sides during estrus. Pregnant female chameleons usually turn black gray with dark green and bright yellow markings. Or when it wants to tell the male whether they want to mate, the orange stripe will turn brown or black. Show their attitude through body color and express their willingness to mate.
Chameleon's color change is their survival instinct. Color change can not only help them hunt, but also better bring camouflage and defense to them.
How to choose chameleon?
Before selection, the chameleon can be fed and observed on the spot. If the chameleon sees the food and immediately spits out his tongue for hunting, the longer his tongue spits out and the faster his tongue spits out, the better his health.
After hunting, while the chameleon is chewing food, observe whether there are abnormal conditions in the chameleon's mouth.
During the day, the chameleon's eyes are open and bright, and the eyes will keep turning to keep alert and look for food. Such a chameleon is healthy. If the chameleon closes its eyes and doesn't walk much during the day, it may be a sick or weak chameleon.
Guide the chameleon to climb onto his hand and feel the grip of the chameleon's limbs. The stronger the grip, the stronger the chameleon is.
When a chameleon sleeps at night, its tail will be strongly rolled up or rolled on a branch. If it is loose and vertical, it indicates that the chameleon is in poor health.
Every creature deserves our love and understanding. If we choose to feed, we should treat them well. It is not only our choice, but also our luck that they can integrate into our life!