Why do chameleons change color?

Unlike other reptiles, chameleons can change skin color at will. The color change of chameleon depends entirely on the pigment cells on the surface of skin, which are filled with different colors of pigments.

Anderson of the Department of Biology at Cornell University in new york studied the "discoloration principle" of chameleon skin color, and came to the conclusion that chameleon skin has three layers of pigment cells, the deepest layer of which is composed of melanocytes, and the melanin contained in the cells can be fused with the upper cells; The middle layer is composed of guanine cells, which mainly regulates the dark blue pigment; The outermost cells are mainly yellow pigment and red pigment.

Anderson said, "Based on the neural regulation mechanism, pigment cells will be fused and transformed between layers under the stimulation of nerves to realize various changes in the body color of chameleon."

The chameleon originated in Africa. According to the living habits of the chameleon, animal lovers who like to keep the chameleon can build a small home for the chameleon with a feeding box made of branches. At the same time, try to ensure sufficient natural sunlight, and it is best to let the chameleon receive 30 minutes of sunlight every day; The best sunshine time is after the sun comes out in the morning. In natural light, the color of chameleon will become brighter and brighter.

The chameleon is a cold-blooded animal, so it has many similarities with tropical fish in the feeding process, such as the requirements for temperature. Generally, the temperature should be kept at 28 to 32 degrees during the day and 22 to 26 degrees at night. If it is kept in a low temperature for a long time, the chameleon will reduce the appetite, slow down the normal growth of the body, and even affect the health in serious cases.

The chameleon's main food is insects. Most chameleons hate a single way of eating, and sometimes refuse to eat until they die in order to resist a single way of eating.

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The smallest chameleon: 201February 17 German and American scientists have recently discovered four new chameleon species in Madagascar. Their adult trunk is only the size of a fingernail, which may be the smallest chameleon in the world so far.