These animals at the same time frighten and attract with their unusualness. Descendants of ancient minerals feel good in the modern world. What chameleons can be seen today, where do they live, what do they eat and how do they breed? Cognitive interesting information - in our article.
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Description and characteristics of chameleons
These reptiles of the Chameeleon family (Chamaeleo) belong to the class of reptiles, namely the squamous order. They can be safely called lizards.
Today they are the oldest animals of the Earth, since the found remains of these lizards number up to 30 million years.
The search for the etymology of the name leads to the ancient Greek phrase, where χαμά is “land” and λέων is “lion”. Earth lion - this is also the name of these little predators.
The size of the reptiles depends on the particular species of animal. On average, the body has a length of about 30 - 40 centimeters. The known individuals are much larger - representatives of giant chameleons grow up to 55 - 65 cm. And there are quite miniature lizards - no more than 3 centimeters with a tail.
A characteristic feature of the body is flatness on the sides and convex ridges from above along the length of the whole body. In some species, there are such solid crest growths on the skull: two in front, above the eyes, and one in the back, they give the impression of a helmet on the head.
Also, in males, the head is “decorated” with horns - outgrowths of bone breed, there can be two or four of them. Some females also have such ornaments - only small growths, not sufficiently developed.
The limbs of chameleons with sharp claws are similar to claws, since there is a septum between the fingers.Such a structure helps animals to feel comfortable on tree branches, clinging securely to their paws.
The tail is the pride of lizards. It resembles a long spiral, thick at the base and thin at the end. With its help, those species of chameleons that live on trees cling to branches to securely gain a foothold. Terrestrial representatives of the family cannot boast such a length; their tail is short.
Reptiles have a unique eye structure, the pupils of which can rotate 360 degrees and look in different directions at the same time. The eyes are framed by fused eyelids around the entire perimeter, a tiny hole remains for the pupils.
The language of the lizards is another special part of the body, it is one and a half to two times more than the entire body. At the end it has a Velcro-suction cup, with which the animal captures the prey. And in a calm state, the tongue turns into a tube and waits in the stomach of a chameleon.
Species of lizards
In total, this population has 11 genera, which, in turn, are divided into 193 species. Among them, there are more common ones, and there are those species whose representatives are few on the planet.
The largest populations include the following species:
- Chameleon Ordinary;
- Panther Chameleon;
- Scallop Chameleon;
- Yemeni view;
- Jackson's chameleon;
- Desert chameleon;
- Calumma tarzan;
- Furcifer labordi from the species of Madagascar chameleons;
- the smallest Brookesia micra;
- Giant chameleon.
Each of the species has characteristic differences in color and size.
How a chameleon changes color
The ability of lizards to modify the shade of their skin is a curious phenomenon, the causes of which have not been precisely established until this time.
Some zoologists believe that color change is a protective disguise that allows you to merge with the environment. The second option, which found more supporters, is based on the communicative reason for this phenomenon.
As evidence of such an explanation, the results of studies and observations of the life of chameleons in natural conditions are induced.
Color changes depend on:
- weather conditions (humidity, temperature);
- sensations of the animal (fear, a sense of threat, hunger, thirst);
- breeding period (males during mating are especially bright);
- feeling lizards.
The palette of shades in which the chameleon's skin can be painted is very wide: from beige to deep black. A combination of different colors is possible, besides, changes do not necessarily occur along the entire surface of the body, and may appear in single places in the form of patterns or spots.
Such metamorphoses are possible due to the special structure of the skin of lizards. In the dermis there are special cells - chromatophores, a kind of pigment bags, which at the right time produce a certain pigment that appears on the body.
Animal habitat
Lizards prefer a hot climate (wet or dry), so they feel great in such climatic zones:
- rainforests;
- savannahs;
- foothill areas;
- steppes;
- semi-desert.
You can meet representatives of different types of chameleons on almost all continents of the planet.
Lizards live:
- in Africa - its northern part and in deserts;
- on the island of Madagascar - more than 60 known species of reptiles live here;
- in the south of India;
- in Sri Lanka;
- on the islands of the Mediterranean;
- in the southern forests of Turkey;
- in Israel, Syria, Jordan, Libya;
- in the Middle East;
- in the US states of Florida and California;
- in the South European countries - Portugal, Spain, Malta.
Some species are often found in their habitats, naturalists read representatives of rare species in single copies.
Chameleon lifestyle and lifespan
These animals are very calm and even phlegmatic, they try not to make unnecessary movements, unless there is a special need.
Reptiles spend almost their entire lives on trees or dense shrubs.They can go down to the earth only in search of especially attractive food or during mating season.
The body structure of lizards, especially the paws and tail, are adapted precisely for such a way of life. On earth, animals feel insecure, but in case of danger they can even move very quickly.
Potential enemies for chameleons are large snakes, bird predators and animals. When they appear, the lizard tries to scare off the enemy, inflates like a ball, changes color and begins to hiss. In the event of a threat, a reptile may even bite, but small teeth do not cause much damage.
Chameleon lizards live on average about 5 years, some survive to nine. Representatives of the species of giant chameleons reach 15 years of age, and the miniature Furcifer lizards are destined to live no more than six months.
The life expectancy is affected by the nutrition of animals and their gender. Females die earlier because I have weaker health after bearing children.
What do lizards eat in nature?
For normal life, reptiles do not need large replenishment of energy, because they spend it very little, given that they do not need to maintain a constant body temperature.
Animals may not eat anything for several days, waiting for a suitable victim to be nearby, at an extended tongue.
And the food for them is:
- various insects - butterflies, ants, grasshoppers,
- millipedes, crickets, cockroaches;
- small lizards;
- some types of snakes;
- plant leaves;
- fruits - oranges, grapes, cherries, persimmons, kiwi;
soft vegetables.
Larger species of chameleons are able to attack small rodents and birds to feast on.
But the chameleon will never attack poisonous insects. Therefore, wasps or bees are not included in the diet of reptiles.
The hunting process is almost instant. A lizard throws out its tongue with a suction cup at lightning speed. In 2 seconds, the animal manages to feast on four insects. Using the jaws, the chameleon squeezes the victim and sends it into the mouth.
It is important for animals to get the right amount of water, otherwise they lose their ability to survive. Lizards drink water from swamps, lakes or rivers.
Chameleon breeding
The mating season in lizards falls on June - July, and species living in the tropics mate twice a year.
Before finding a female for mating, males should seriously compete with rivals. Cruel fights for the right of possession often end in severe injuries and even death.
Chameleon females show their readiness for mating by indifference to the creeps of a potential groom. If they are not yet ready for the process, they become aggressive and attack males with a desire to mate. The process of intercourse lasts 10 to 20 minutes, maybe less.
There are two types of chameleons, divided by the way children appear:
- oviparous;
- viviparous.
More animals belong to the first species. Females hatch eggs for one and a half to two months, and then they lay them in the prepared hole in the sand, buried and ... forever forgotten. The number of eggshells depends on the type of lizards - from 15 to 70 pieces per clutch.
The incubation period averages 8 to 9 months. Around the summer of next year, 5 - 8 - centimeter cubs hatch from eggs, which are completely ready for survival in the environment. Kids try to cling to branches of bushes or trees to climb higher.
Viviparous species include chameleons living in harsh mountain conditions, where the ambient temperature does not allow to leave eggs in the ground. Females of this species carry eggs (without shell, with mucous membrane) for the entire 9 months. At the same time, 10 to 20 chameleons can be born.
Lizards do not raise offspring. New members of the population independently take care of their nutrition and safety.
Maintenance and care at home
Nowadays, more and more exotic lovers are thinking about making such an unusual animal as a chameleon at home.
Leopard, common and Yemeni lizards are suitable for keeping in an apartment. They need to create conditions as close as possible to their natural habitat.
- The terrarium should have a volume of at least 200 liters, preferably made of organic glass.
- An ultraviolet lamp should maintain a comfortable temperature: during the day, 28 - 30 degrees, at night - 25. You can use special warm mats for heating.
- It is better to cover the bottom of the terrarium with a layer of special sand from the pet store, plant plants, place branches along which the chameleon can climb.
- Provide 60 percent humidity. To do this, regularly spray the terrarium inside, you can install a pump or a small waterfall. Chameleons lick water from leaves, so it’s important that there are always drops of moisture there.
- The terrarium must be equipped with two ventilation openings so that the air circulates freely.
- Housekeeping should be carried out regularly. Every day you need to wash the feeder, remove excrement and food debris. Once a week - disinfect the container and wash all items contained in it.
An important role in the life span of a pet is played by the diet. Feed the chameleon twice a day.
Nutrition consists of:
- living insects - flies, cockroaches, butterflies, worms and beetles;
- plant leaves;
- vegetables and fruits;
- special vitamin complex (twice a week).
Experts advise not to place more than one lizard in one terrarium or to make partitions between them. The point is the aggressive disposition of representatives of this family, which can cause serious problems in the communication of relatives.
