Do Chameleons Change Colour to Hide?

Chameleons are famous for changing colour. A green chameleon can suddenly become brighter, darker or covered in striking patterns. But are they really changing colour just to disappear into the background?

Not usually.

Chameleons use colour for several reasons, and one of the most important is communication.

A chameleon may change its appearance when it meets another chameleon, feels threatened or is trying to attract a mate. Bright colours can send a very different message from darker, duller ones.

Temperature can make a difference too. Because chameleons rely on their surroundings to help control their body temperature, changing their colour can help them absorb or reflect heat.

So how do they do it?

A chameleon's skin contains specialised layers of cells. Some contain pigments, while others contain tiny structures that interact with light. By changing these structures, the chameleon changes which wavelengths of light are reflected, altering the colours we see.

Camouflage still matters. A chameleon's normal colours and patterns can help it blend into its habitat. But the famous colour-changing trick is much more than an invisibility cloak.

The surprising answer: Chameleons don't simply change colour to match whatever they're sitting on. Their colours can reveal what is happening inside the animal, from its temperature to its mood.

Keep discovering: What other animals use colour to communicate?

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