what does the color changing on a chameleon mean
Scientists believe that chameleons change color to reflect their moods. By doing so, they send signals to other chameleons. For example, darker colors tend to mean a chameleon is angry. Lighter colors might be used to attract mates. Some chameleons also change colors to help their bodies adjust to changes in temperature or light. For example, a chameleon that gets cold might change to a darker color to absorb more heat and warm its body. For many years, scientists believed that chameleons change their color by manipulating specialized cells â called chromatophores â that contain different colors of pigment. For example, when a chameleon wants to convey a particular mood or message, its brain sends a message to its chromatophores, which then move pigments around to change the chameleon 's color.