If you ask chameleon owners why they like to keep them as pets, many of them will say because of their fascination with a chameleon's extraordinary ability to change its body color. This camouflage feature in chameleons helps them hunt in the wild and hide from predators, earning a reputation as the most famous 'masters of disguise' in the world.

Chameleons belong to a family of more than 200 species of Old World lizards. The skin color changing ability is featured in some of the species, morphing into vivid green, brown, blue and pink patterns. This ability depends on a special layer of cells that compose guanine crystals under the skin. When changing colors, chameleons change the space between the crystals either by relaxing or exciting their skin, hence the changed wavelength of light reflected by the crystal can manifest different colors.

With such a useful ability, changing colors to fit the environment becomes a common method for chameleons to hunt. Chameleons feed primarily on insects, while some larger species may also take other lizards and small birds as food. Chameleons will slowly approach their prey and immediately capture it with their long tongues.

Chameleons not only use this distinctive ability for hunting, it is also a way for them to communicate. Research by the National Geographic points out that chameleons change their colors to reflect their mood. In this case, the colors become social signals for other chameleons, so they could know if a chameleon is feeling angry or hoping to attract a mate.

About the 'Disguise in Nature' series

Camouflage and mimicry are two ways for creatures to disguise themselves. Disguises can either help them escape danger, or make them perfect predators when hunting.

In this series, we look at several species that are masters of disguise. For each story, there will be a game of hide-and-seek with the introduced species. 

Read more from the 'Disguise in Nature' series:

Disguise in Nature: The colorful 'kung fu masters'

Disguise in Nature: The 'ninja' in sea

Disguise in Nature: The forest's 'night hunter'

Disguise in Nature: The 'hermit' in rainforest

Disguise in Nature: A lively 'leaf' with legs

(Cover image via VCG, designed by CGTN's Li Yueyun)

(Information image via VCG, designed by CGTN's Li Jingjie )

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)