Posts tagged chameleons
Interesting Facts and the Care of the Senegal Chameleon
Oct 12th
Today we’ll take another look at those oddest of lizards, the chameleons (Family Chamaeleonidae), followed by some tips on the care of the Senegal Chameleon (Chamaeleo senegalensis).
Eyes
The cone shaped torrents that enclose the chameleon’s eyes are actually made up of fused, overlapping sets of eye lids. By covering all but the eye’s pupil, they offer excellent protection to this most important organ.
Chameleon eyes contain far more visual cells than do our own, and can be rotated 180 degrees. Uniquely among all animals, the eyes can focus either independently (on different objects) or together.
Vision, Learning and Hunting Accuracy
When a chameleon focuses both eyes on an insect, it hits its target 9 out of 10 times. In laboratory situations, accuracy falls to 0 when 1 eye is covered. However, by the second day hunting accuracy rises to 20%. On day 4, the one-eyed hunters successfully capture insects on 50% of their attempts.
Senses of Hearing and Smell
Chameleons do not hear well …like snakes, they detect air vibrations and low-pitched sounds only.
The Jacobsen’s organ, which allows many other reptiles to “smell” chemical particles in the air, is vestigial (much reduced) in chameleons. It is therefore assumed that they do not detect most odors.
Distribution
Madagascar is the center of chameleon diversity, with over 75 species, many endemic, living there. Neighboring Africa, despite being vastly larger, boasts only 100 or so species. Only 2 species make their homes in the Middle East, 2 in Europe and 2 in India and Sri Lanka.
At least 2 species of chameleon have established feral populations in foreign habitats. The veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) thrives in Florida, Hawaii and Mexico, while the Jackson’s chameleon (C. jacksonii) has been breeding on Hawaii since the 1970’s and has recently been discovered in California.
The Senegal Chameleon, Chamaeleo senegalensis
Hailing from tropical West Africa (Senegal to Cameroon), this dark-spotted, tan to olive chameleon inhabits brushy savannas and forest edges. Often abundant and easy to collect, it has long been a pet trade staple.
Some Cautions
Despite its long history in captivity, the Senegal does not breed regularly, and presents some problems as a pet. Wild caught specimens should be avoided, as they are usually heavily parasitized and afflicted with stress related ailments.
Captive Environment
Senegal Chameleons need quite, heavily planted screen cages or an outdoor aviary , abundant UVB radiation and should be kept well-hydrated via frequent spraying or the use of a mister. An ambient temperature of 76F with a basking site of 85F and a nighttime dip to 69-70F suits them well.
Breeding
If you are lucky enough to obtain a breeding pair, you’ll have your hands full…healthy females may lay 20-70 eggs at a time, twice each year! Incubation time averages 6 months at 77 F, and sexual maturity may be reached by 5 months of age.
The Smooth Chameleon
The range of East Africa’s Smooth Chameleon overlaps that of the Senegal in Cameroon. Formerly classified as a subspecies, the smooth chameleon has now been given full species status as Chamaeleo laevigata.
Further Reading
Captive care follows that of the veiled chameleon; however, the Senegal requires higher humidity than the veiled, and does not consume plants. Please see my article Care of the Veiled Chameleon, for further details.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Male Chameleon in Madagascar image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Mbz1
Veiled Chameleon in Madagascar image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Billybizkit
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Loading ...Interesting Facts about the Anatomy and Natural History of the Chameleons
Apr 27th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.
In both captivity and nature, chameleons (Family Chamaeleonidae) stand alone – unique in so many ways, they are truly marvelous creatures to know and care for. Today I would like to highlight a few unusual facts about these favored reptile pets.
Cultural Significance
Chameleons have long drawn our attention…in fact, their fossilized remains have been found alongside proto-human skeletons in Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge. Throughout Africa and Madagascar, they were regarded as somewhat mystical creatures, spying on people with their oddly-shaped eyes and reporting back to the deities about our (many!) shortcomings.
Fortunately, most of these beliefs also prohibited people from harming chameleons, and even today there are those who will risk a car accident rather than run one over.
Diversity
To date, 178 chameleon species have been described. The smallest (pygmy leaf chameleons, Genus Brookesia), barely reach 1.5 inches in length while the family’s giant, Oustalet’s chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti) may be 30 inches or more from nose to tail tip.
Range and Habitats
Chameleons reach their greatest diversity in Madagascar. They are also found in coastal North Africa, Africa south of the Sahara, along the western edge of the Middle East and the northern shores of the Mediterranean and in India and Sri Lanka. Two species have been introduced to Mexico and the USA.
Often regarded as rainforest animals, chameleons have also adapted to dry forests, deserts, mountainous areas (where they endure snow) and city parks.
Moving About
Chameleons walk with a peculiar rocking motion, designed to help them blend in with swaying leaves and branches…indeed, some species are reluctant to move unless a slight breeze is blowing.
In most species, the tail may be held straight out for balance, curled around a branch as a “fifth hand” or coiled tightly during dominance displays. Chameleons in free-fall have been observed to latch onto branches with the tail, halting their descent!
The Amazing Tongue
I could go on for a long time about chameleon tongues (fear not, I’ll contain myself!), as the surprise of first seeing one in action some 3 decades ago is still fresh in my mind. It is certainly one of nature’s most spectacular food-gathering innovations, and completely unique to this magnificent group of lizards.
The tongue is hollow and fits over a cartilaginous (bone-like) tube known as the hyoid spike. Depending upon the species, it may be slightly shorter than or greatly exceed the chameleon’s body in length.
The tongue is projected out towards prey by powerful accelerator muscles, and tendons attaching its base to the hyoid spike cushion the shock of impact. Once the tongue is on its way, the chameleon can only control the length of the strike…aiming is done beforehand.
Surprisingly, the tongue’s tip is not only sticky but also very abrasive…both qualities, along with a skin flap that flips over the hapless victim, assure that few meals escape.
Retractor muscles pull the tongue back into place. These are quite powerful, allowing the lizard to reel in prey weighing half as much as itself. Armed in this manner, large chameleons take quite large insects, and even small birds and rodents on occasion.
Further Reading
Chameleon reproductive behavior is among the lizard-world’s most complex. The abstract of an interesting research project is posted at http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=13694591.
Next time we’ll take a look at some more interesting facts and popular species. Until then, please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, Frank Indiviglio.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Chameleons and Camouflage – new findings concerning predator-specific color changes
Jun 10th
Recent studies at Australia’s Melbourne University have now brought us back to square one. Although the foregoing information holds true, it seems that at least 1 species, Smith’s dwarf chameleon, Bradypodium taeniabronchum, does indeed specifically change its color to match its background when threatened. Not only that, but it also tailors the degree of change to the specific predator. When faced with a sharp-eyed predator such as a bird, the lizard’s color changes to match the stick upon which it rests perfectly. Less well-sighted animals, such as snakes, elicit a less-perfect camouflage.
It seems that color change exacts a heavy toll, physiologically, on the chameleon. This is likely the reason that it does not employ “perfect” camouflage unless forced to do so by the nature of its enemy.
Please write in with your questions and observations on the color changing ability of the chameleons you keep. Thanks, until next time, Frank
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