Chameleons | Taste the Rainbow of Herpetoculture

“Chamaeleo namaquensis (Namib-Naukluft, 2011)” by Yathin S Krishnappa – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Chameleon, a reptile or rather any of the Old World lizards classified as being part of the family Chamaeleonidae. In translation from its Greek and Latin etymology the word Chameleon means ‘Ground Lion’. While I’m not familiar with the art of etymological research, nor the habits or behaviours of lions; all the lions (Panthera sp.) seen are on the ground. They have the capability to climb as do any cat to my knowledge but it seems they spend most of their time on the ground.

Why Linnaeus who first described (Lacerta chamaeleon) in 1758 would refer to this as ‘Ground Lion’ in my observation would be their resemblance to male lions and their respective mane. It might also refer to Chameleons being readily defensive when encountered. When a Chameleon is disturbed they sometimes gape and emit an audible hissing noise to frighten off any would be predators.

Chameleon Diversity

“Brookesia micra on a match head” by Frank Glaw, Jörn Köhler, Ted M. Townsend, Miguel Vences – Glaw F, Köhler J, Townsend TM, Vences M (2012) Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons.

There are, as of this piece, two hundred species of Chameleons. Most of these avoid the herpetoculture trade. Even so, there’s a large selection of Chameleons for sale in herpetoculture. From the thumb sized (Bradypodion sp.) (meaning roughly ‘slow and small of foot’) and (Brookesia sp.) known as Leaf Chameleons for their diminutive size.
The largest Chameleon by weight is the Parson’s Chameleon (Calumma parsonii) was first described by Physicist James Parson as (Cameleonis rarissima) a name which never took in the taxonomy world. Fifty years later, Cuvier renamed the species in honour of its original describer as (Chamaeleo parsonii). The Oustalet’s Chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti) is the longest chameleon species with a total length of almost twenty-seven inches! Within herpetoculture there are numerous species available to both the beginning keeper and those who’re more advanced in their techniques of creating captive reptile environments.

Chameleon Tongue

Courtesy of Koror Survivor

The chameleon tongue and it’s mechanics have fascinated scientists and it’s not hard to see why. I know of no other animal on the planet possessing a tongue which is one to one and half times the length of their body with the ability to launch said appendage at velocities enabling it to snatch a fly mid-flight. For more details see Chameleon tongues.

Chameleon Color Change

I’d be remiss if I didn’t address the most obvious characteristic of all Chameleon species. This is their incredible ability to change colors at will. Is this a cognitive decision on the reptiles part or an autonomous response to environmental factors? Once again our childhood cartoons and public mass media fails the herpetoculture world in their explanation. In most cases the chameleon is portrayed as attempting to camouflage itself hiding against a background from a would be pursuer. Most cartoons as I recall, had the chameleon changing to various solid colored backgrounds until the pursuer chased it to a plaid background. Then of course the Chameleon being unable to match plaid was then out of luck.
Chameleons will and do change colors but it’s far from autonomous. What we’re actually seeing is the refraction of light given off by the expansion and or contraction of various chromatophores (tip of the hat to James Tintle for insight on chromatophores). This is completely a cognitive decision on the chameleons part as a way to communicate their intentions to others of their species. This color change is also used by the chameleon to regulate their internal body temperature.

Alien Invasions of the United States

Florida and Hawaii have seen the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) become and invasive species in these two states. How this invasive species came to invade these states is truly a guessing game as to my knowledge there’s no verified documentation of the species being released in the numbers necessary to facilitate what I’d consider an invasion. As for Florida, it’s probable the species was released by a natural disaster as the Burmese Pythons were when a reptile facility was torn apart during a hurricane. Mass media would impart to us the species became invasive when uninformed reptile owners tiring of their pets released them into the wild with the thought they’d not survive and would become food for some other predator. For more on releasing captive reptiles into the wild see Disposable Pet Nation.

Reptile Apartment Group cannot reiterate enough how responsible pet/reptile ownership is an absolute must.

If you or someone your acquainted with makes you aware of their intentions to release ANY species of animal into the wild, it’s your personal obligation to direct them to a qualified rescue facility or an amnesty day where they’re able to relinquish their unwanted pets. This prevents them from damaging the delicate ecosystem already threatened by humans. For a more in-depth read regarding invasive species and their impacts you must understand ecology and for that there’s no better book than David Quammen Song of the Dodo.

Editors Note: Hat Tip to Chad Byrnes Executive Producer (cheesecake fanatic) of Reptile Living Room for the title of this piece!