How Many Colors Can a Chameleon Actually Change Into?

The chameleon is a very peculiar reptile, with all kinds of features and behaviors suited to an arboreal life. Its greatest specialty is changing color. Although the basic color of its skin is green, it can change at any time into dark green, light green, purple, blue, brown, and more, and can even produce "gaudy" patterned colors with various hues intermixed. Now let us take a look together at how many colors a chameleon can change into!

How many colors can a chameleon change into?

In theory, a chameleon can change into every color. A chameleon's color change depends on the environment; for example, those in jungle areas turn green, those on riverbanks turn the gray of stones, and those in deserts turn yellowish brown. The mechanism of a chameleon's color change is that the autonomic nervous system controls the cells containing pigment granules (melanocytes), dispersing or concentrating the pigment within the cells. The color change is determined by environmental factors such as light, temperature, and mood (fright, victory, and defeat).

Why do chameleons change color?

A chameleon's skin has three layers of pigment cells. The deepest layer is made up of melanophores, whose melanin can intermingle 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 mainly contains yellow pigment and red pigment. Under nerve stimulation, the pigment cells cause the pigments to intermingle and shift between the layers, achieving the many variations in the color of a chameleon's body.

What is the use of a chameleon changing color?

The color-changing phenomenon of chameleons is similar to the protective coloration and warning coloration of other organisms. Their skin color changes with the background, temperature, and mood. Male chameleons turn their dark protective coloration into bright colors to warn other chameleons to leave their territory. Some chameleons also turn from their calm green to red to intimidate enemies. The purpose is to protect themselves, avoid attack, and survive.