The
color change of the South African chameleon is not primarily used for
camouflage, but for communication with its fellow species. Especially
during the mating season the males show eye-catching colors and
patterns. But the color of the Chameleon is also influenced by the
temperature and the light of the sun. In the morning, when the
temperatures are still low, the skin of the Chameleon shows darker
colors, providing a better heat absorption of the weak sunlight. With
the rising sun, its color gets lighter, reflecting the light to prevent
the Chameleon from overheating.
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