Chameleons are masters of camouflage, able to change colors thanks to nanocrystals found in cells in their skin. This week's viewer question comes from Kwarson K. in Nigeria.
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00:00How do chameleons change colors?
00:11It takes a trained eye to spot it.
00:13The chameleon is a master at adapting to its surroundings and circumstances.
00:19Its color changes according to the animal's mood, as well as the time of day and how warm
00:24or cold it is.
00:27The camouflage is actually just a side effect.
00:31Changing color is a kind of language, one that's mainly used to communicate with other
00:37chameleons.
00:38It's an ability built into their skin, which is made up of different types of cells that
00:43work together when the reptile changes its hue.
00:49The outermost layer contains pigments that have a yellowish or reddish tone.
00:54Underneath are cells called iridophores.
00:57These reflect incoming light with the help of nanocrystals.
01:02The animal can change the size of the gaps between these crystals, and that changes the
01:06color of the light reflected by its skin.
01:10If a chameleon is relaxed, the crystals are packed more closely together and reflect short
01:16wave light in the blue part of the spectrum.
01:19The pigment layer on top reflects yellow, and together blue and yellow make green.
01:25But if the lizard is excited, when confronted with a rival, for example, then it flexes
01:30the cells, widening the gap between crystals.
01:33The iridophores then reflect longer wave red light.
01:39By the way, male chameleons are said to be at their most vibrant when they're on the
01:43lookout for a mate.
01:46Like many other animal species, they try to court females with a highly impressive
01:51display of color.