Chameleons!!! Chameleons are lizards that have adapted to live perfectly in the trees and bushes of typically tropical areas! These two species shown in today’s video are both non-native, and are what we call an “introduced” species. You may be familiar with Burmese pythons and green iguanas being invasive in Florida but the reptile invasion doesn’t stop there! Panther chameleons have been able to establish multiple stable populations over the past few years in isolated pockets in central Florida. These animals are typically very hardy having survived both the extreme heat and cold near Tampa and Orlando! Panther chameleons are beautiful medium sized chameleons naturally occurring on the island of Madagascar off the coast of south Eastern Africa. These chameleons specialize in stalking their prey in the branches of trees before letting their rocket powered tongue snatch it up. Veiled chameleons are quite similar but inhabit much different terrain. These chameleons are native to Yemen and Saudi Arabia. These animals are in typically scrubbier habitat and have heavy banding to help camouflage in the shadows cast by the trees.
Despite popular opinion, chameleons cannot change their color to perfectly match their surroundings. Chameleons mostly change color to communicate with other chameleons and show their mood. It’s no coincidences hat their typically green base color is great at keeping them hidden, but actually being able to match any background color is a total myth!
Hope you guys enjoyed this long special and I hope you learned something new! Keep watching!
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