Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, now I am well aware that the colour changing function of the Chameleons is as much geared towards signalling emotion and reacting to temperature etc... as it is to hide the animal. However, which Chameleon species is generally the most likely to employ the camouflage function and mimic its surroundings. I read an interesting anecdote about a C. Africanus that tried to mimic the checkered pattern of a curtain. What are your experiences and which species would you say is most likely to try and blend in?

Thanks

Adam

>>Hi all, now I am well aware that the colour changing function of the Chameleons is as much geared towards signalling emotion and reacting to temperature etc... as it is to hide the animal. However, which Chameleon species is generally the most likely to employ the camouflage function and mimic its surroundings. I read an interesting anecdote about a C. Africanus that tried to mimic the checkered pattern of a curtain. What are your experiences and which species would you say is most likely to try and blend in?
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Adam

The color changing function isn't as much geared toward signaling emotion and reacting temperature as much as it is almost completely geared to it. Chameleons changing color to match their background is an old wives tail. While some species through evolution have evolved such that their typical coloration is similar to that of their typical habitat, this is unrelated to conscious changes to mimic the patern or habitat they are on. I'd be interested to read this source about the C. africanus, I've read many of these accounts over the years but none have ever been factual.

Chris
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Chris Anderson
parsonii_hoehnelii@hotmail.com
Editor - Chameleons! Online E-zine: http://www.chameleonnews.com/
Admin - Captive Chameleon Bloodline Tracking Database (CCBTD): http://www.chameleondatabase.com/
Author - Chameleon Care and Information Center (CCIC) - http://www.geocities.com/ccicenter/(Currently Down)

Thats ok, my 9 yr old niece informed me that they will change to whatever colour you set them on,,,, so i asked her what happens if i put them on plaid?,, LOL
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