How Does A Chameleon Change Its Colors?

A chameleon is a reptile belonging to the lizard family and best known for its ability to change colors according to its surroundings and mood. The chameleon changes its skin color by way of special cells known as chromatophores that contain various pigments and which on the stimulating action of hormones reflect light in different ways affecting the skin color of the chameleon.

The outer skin of the chameleon is mainly transparent while the chromatophores are situated in two layers beneath; the upper layer contains mainly yellow and red pigments while the lower layer contains pigments that reflect the blue part of incident light.

In sunny weather the upper layer cells expand in size and the chameleon turns yellowish brown or green enabling it to reflect more light while in cold weather the lower layer cells become larger in size and the skin color darkens which results in the conservation of body heat.

Melanin cells located beneath the chromatophores and which have the ability to disperse and clump together also play a major part in helping the chameleon change color.