Chameleon Color Change Reasons, Care Methods and Market Prices Explained

The chameleon is a reptile, and it has various characteristics and behaviors suited to an arboreal life. So, why do chameleons change color? Are they easy to keep? How much does one cost? Let's take a look together below! The chameleon is so named because it is good at changing the color of its body at any time according to changes in the environment. Color change not only helps it hide itself, but also helps it catch prey.

1. Why do chameleons change color?

A chameleon's color change depends on three layers of pigment cells in the skin. The deepest layer is made up of melanophores, in which the melanin carried by the cells can merge with the cells of the layer above; the middle layer is made up of guanophores, which mainly regulate dark blue pigment; the outermost layer of cells is mainly yellow pigment and red pigment. Under nerve stimulation, the pigment cells cause the pigments to blend and shift between the layers, achieving the many kinds of changes in the chameleon's body color.

As for why chameleons change color, on a deeper level it is because: the chameleon is a “fickle” arboreal reptile, and in nature it is fully deserving of the title “master of disguise.” Because it adapts to the environment, in order to avoid natural enemies, convey feelings, and express intent, it changes its body color to transmit information and communicate with its companions. A chameleon's skin changes with the background, changes in temperature and mood, and its color changes accordingly.

2. How do you keep a chameleon?

1. The staple food of a chameleon can be crickets, cockroaches and grasshoppers, etc. Other types such as mealworms, corn worms, silkworms and pinky mice can only serve as supplementary food. Pinky mice are only suitable for feeding to adults, and moreover no more than one should be fed each month.

2. Adults can be fed once a day, each time about equivalent to the amount of 8 to 10 adult crickets (in winter this can be reduced to 5 to 7), with feeding stopped for 1 to 2 days each week (in winter they can be fed every other day). Juveniles can be fed 2 to 3 times a day, each time limited to 15 minutes, and feeding should also be stopped once a week or the amount reduced on 1 or 2 of those days.

3. Feeding time is best at noon. A normal chameleon defecates within 1 hour after absorbing heat each day, and after defecating its appetite will naturally increase. Avoid feeding in the evening, because the temperature is lower at night and it can easily cause indigestion.

4. Chameleons need a fairly large amount of water. In the wild, chameleons generally drink dew from leaves in the morning, or drink rainwater directly when it rains, so when we provide a water source we should also consider these two aspects. The best method is spraying water. Generally, a misting system or a spray bottle can be used. At least twice a day, for at least 3 minutes each time, and it is best to use warm water. When spraying, try to avoid spraying directly at the chameleon (especially its eyes).

3. How much does a chameleon cost?

Different varieties of chameleons also have different prices. Veiled chameleons at 2 inches are about 352 to 554 yuan each, juveniles are about 606 to 950 yuan each, and adult males are about 1500 to 2000 yuan; Jackson's chameleons are 1200 to 1600 yuan; Meller's chameleons are 900 to 3800 yuan; Senegal chameleons are 250 to 400 yuan; four-horned chameleons are 1200 to 1400 yuan; panther chameleons are 2500 to 3800 yuan; carpet chameleons are 700 to 900 yuan; helmeted pygmy leaf chameleons are 1100 to 1300 yuan; leaf chameleons are 400 to 500 yuan; Fischer's dwarf chameleons are 700 to 800 yuan; Cape dwarf chameleons do not exceed 1000 yuan; bearded pygmy chameleons are 350 to 400 yuan.