Interesting facts about the chameleon

• Interesting facts about the chameleon

Without a doubt, the chameleon - one of the most interesting representatives of the animal world. Everyone knows that the chameleon can change the color of their skin, but what else do you know about these amazing cute animals? Our selection of interesting facts to help you fill the gaps in knowledge.

Although chameleons can be found in many parts of the world, having a warm climate, almost half of the two hundred known species live in Madagascar.

Most chameleons lay eggs, but some produce on the Toddlers light soft translucent shells that resemble a cocoon.

The word "chameleon" comes from the Greek "chamaeleón", which literally means "ground lion".

Chameleon Parson - the largest of the known species. Adults reach 70 cm in length.

The smallest in the world is the leaf chameleon, reaching a length of about 1, 6 cm and fits easily on a match head. This is one of the smallest known vertebrate.

have excellent eyesight chameleon with 360-degree viewing angle, he can look in two directions at once.

chameleons language is also quite remarkable. It is almost twice the length of the animal's body and is capable of firing a flash in the direction of extraction.

The most common chameleons eat insects, but some larger species are not averse to eat a lizard or bird.

Chameleons - loners. Most of the time the female does not need the presence of a male. The male approaches for mating in those rare moments when the female allows the touch.

Chameleons do not care for their young and the young left to itself immediately after birth.

Like the snakes, chameleons do not have the external and middle ear, so that they do not have ears or eardrums. However, they are not deaf. They can hear sounds of a frequency of 200 to 600 Hz.

Contrary to popular belief, a chameleon changes color, not for camouflage, and to control body temperature and to communicate with other individuals. Thus he expresses his emotions.

The head veiltail chameleon that lives in arid mountainous regions of Yemen and Saudi Arabia, is decorated with a highly developed crest. The crest of this animal is to collect water - water droplets roll down his chameleon grooves directly into the mouth.

In the wild, the lifetime of chameleon usually 2-3 years, and in captivity can reach 10 years.

chameleon Language shoots with extraordinary speed, reaching a production of 0, 07 seconds.

Unfortunately, the ability to mimicry does not protect chameleons from deforestation, which are their main habitat. Currently, about 9 species is on the brink of extinction, and 37 more species are in danger.

In contrast to many other lizards, chameleons do not know how to discard and to grow a tail again.

In addition to the visible spectrum, chameleons see in the ultraviolet. Coming under ultraviolet rays, they exhibit increased activity, and sociability.

The incubation period of the eggs of chameleon usually lasts a few months, but the eggs chameleon Parson is necessary for two years.

Chameleons different weird gait - while walking, they sway from side to side. Some researchers believe that in this way they mimic leaves swaying in the wind, but this theory has not yet received a scientific reinforcement.