The common chameleon is an arboreal lizard with a range that circumscribes the Mediterranean Sea, occurring in North Africa, the Middle East and extending into Greece, Crete, and southern Spain and Portugal. A charismatic animal, the chameleon is known by its prehensile tail, independently moving eyes, coiled tongue and ability to change colors. Together these traits interact to equip chameleons with extraordinary hunting prowess and social communication tools.
Chameleons have a nearly 360-degree field of view and a keen sense of sight, with a focusing speed many times that of humans. Each bulged eye of a chameleon can look in a different direction at once. The ability to accurately estimate distance to a prey item is necessary for a successful shot with its ballistic tongue. This mechanism involves powerful muscles acting together to contract and then project the tongue forward at a very high speed, while leveraging the elastic properties of collagen to extend the reach of the already lengthy tongue (typically 1.5–2 times that of the body). Modified feet capable of grasping are responsible for the chameleon’s adept climbing ability, and a prehensile tail provides further stability as it moves from branch to branch. Although color change is a function of camouflage, chameleons are not capable of color-matching just any backdrop, but rather subtly shift to paler or darker shades based on light cues in the environment. This trait helps it hide from predators, allows it to surprise its prey and may also assist in regulating temperature—by turning dark, an ectothermic chameleon can more readily absorb heat. Brilliant color change is only present in adult males and is therefore thought to signal reproductive status to attract females and aggression to repel rivals.
Chamaeleo chamaeleon
Collect date: 1959-1960
Israel, vicinity of Tel -Aviv
Collector: Goffer
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