Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Could someone explain how lizards change colors when they get "fired-up". The scientific type of what exactly happens & the physical, what makes them do it?

I "kinda" know... but found my explanation was lacking when trying to explain it to my 11 year old DD.

Thanks!

-Bonnie
1.0 husband
1.3 2-legged kids
1.1 maltese & husky "Tizzy" & "Pola"
1.0 tabby cat "Tigger"
1.0 Maxi Pionus Parrot "Oreo"
1.0 Beardie "Apollo" (waiting on 0.1 BD !)
0.0.1 crested gecko "Loki"

I don't know the science of their skin, but i looked on google for a little bit and only found this:
"To many observers, the most spectacular thing about a Chameleon is their ability to change colors. What many people do not realize is that many species actually have poor color changing ability. People also tend to think that the only reason a Chameleon will change its color is to blend with its environment. While the former is true, it is the least likely reason for the color change, more often the color change is due to mood changes or to communicate. When the Chameleon is calm and in a state of rest, it will be muted shades of green, brown, tan and white that blend with their surroundings. When they become excited, happy, fearful, angry, sexually stimulated their colors will become most vivid and extreme."

Yes, it's about chams, but the skin is very similiar in Beardies.
Someone else probably has a good link to share
-Sara