Chameleons: Nature's Magicians

June 30, 2008

At Discovery News this week you will learn about the world's shortest-lived four-legged animal, a chameleon, which spends most of its limited time on earth in its egg. It hatches after 8-9 months of egg incubating and then lives fast and hard for around 4 months before dropping dead off tree branches in Madagascar, where it lives. Kristopher Karsten, an Oklahoma State University zoologist, and his team also studied the bizarre social life of the reptile. The scientists are hurrying to get their data published asap, but we've got a preview for you here.

If you've ever been involved in an unhealthy relationship, consider what this chameleon, Furcifer labordi, goes through. Males and females seem to hate each other and often engage in physical fights. Eventually one of the two relents and they mate before the fighting again ensues.

Color plays a big role in the courtship process. 

"Males generally stay emerald green, but will increase the contrast between their banding pattern during fights and courtship," Karsten said.

(Male F. labordi; Credit for images: Kristopher Karsten)

"Females are spectacular in their coloration," he added. "Before reproduction, the females are generally a green with faint yellow spots. If approached by a male they will change to more of a black background to emphasize the contrast between the base color and the spots. After reproduction begins, females are a bright emerald green with a red spot on the shoulder. They often have violet and orange along their sides. If they reject a courting male, they change to a dark black background color and extend an orange gular (throat) area, while contrasting the violet and orange spots."

(The below shows an unreceptive female that has just rejected a suitor. Maybe he wasn't an Oakland A's fan...)

It doesn't take much to get a chameleon to change his or her spots. Here an owner shows what happens when the colorful reptile sees itself in a mirror.

And changing colors isn't the chameleon's only trick. Most species have tongues about two times their body length. If you happen to have a pet chameleon and a roach or two in your house, try this for some wholesome family entertainment one evening.