How far can chameleons see?

The title says it all, but let me put it in context:

My cham seems to be aware of my presence most of the time I'm in the room where his enclosure is and takes cover if I come any closer than about 10 feet (he's a juvenile still). I'm wondering if anyone on the forum knows how good their vision is for seeing distance?

When I'm near him he tends to keep at least one eye on me, and won't bask if I'm around. In your experience, does you cham eventually get used to your presence and eventually act 'normal' while you go about your chamaintenance?

-Chad

I can't remember exactly how far they can see, but they can see very, very well. They can even distinguish between different humans.

Some chameleons get less skittish. Other don't. Don't expect any changes, but it is possible, especially if he hasn't gone through chameleon-puberty yet.

I agree that they have excellent sight. Your guy will get use to you. Just give him some time.

Yes, they have excellent eye sight. Hand feed, I have noticed that my chams were always watching me at first. I hand feed, and am always very gentle/carefull when I handle them. Now they have accepted that Im not a threat. They hardly pay attention to me unless im trying to move them Just never give them a reason to not trust you, and eventually they will come around.

I have seen one of my chameleons react to an airplane flying overhead.

I've always wondered this. I've always wondered how they see through both eyes going in different directions too . My cham won't eat if others beside me are in the room, but it doesn't matter who holds him, as long as he gets out of his cage hes fine with it.

Lancecham said:

I have seen one of my chameleons react to an airplane flying overhead.

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Wow. That's crazy!!! I totally believe they have great eye sight. My noki comes down to the middle of the cage to come out when I go toward the cage but when my wife goes to him, he just gives her the stink eye! LOL!!!

Lancecham said:

I have seen one of my chameleons react to an airplane flying overhead.

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Im near a military base, theres always helicopters overhead, Ive seen my chams watchingthem, and the hawks that fly around way up there.

What a great post. I wondered this myself after it seemed like Verde recognized me.

They were build for seeing distance!!from what ive read there known to see objects 5-10 miles away. Im sure my jethro could spot a female on the moon lol

This guy spotted a hawk while I was taking pics.
Look at his color change.






He didn't take his eye off of it untill it was gone.

Todnedo said:

This guy spotted a hawk while I was taking pics.
Look at his color change.

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Wowsers! I guess Hawks and parsons don't get along....

Great pics!

WOW! That is amazing!

i\ had\ read\ a\ study\ was\ done\ with\ a\ veiled\ and\ it\ said\ it\ could\ see\ a\ fruit\ fly\ at\ 10.3\ meters\ away.\ so\ thats\ like\ birds\ eyes.\ as\ for\ your\ cham\ dont\ get\ discouraged\ keep\ trying\ to\ make\ friends.

Lancecham said:

I have seen one of my chameleons react to an airplane flying overhead.

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Same here. Even when the plane must have been 20k feet in the sky! I couldnt believe it.

Fascinating.

On the footage from Life in Cold Blood (with David Attenborough) the camera zooms up close to a chameleons eye and their pupil seems to contract and expand fairly quick which suggests to me that they could possibly zoom in?

If they can, these animals just get better!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCmqM3YP1-4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The part I am referring to is around the 40secs mark.

Interesting thats awsome!!!!

Rottsko said:

Wowsers! I guess Hawks and parsons don't get along....

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that's cause raptor birds are their natural enemies so chams are always aware of what happens above their heads.

P.s @ Todnedo, your Parsons looks amazing, nice photo and awesome cham! makes me want to get one!

Todnedo said:

This guy spotted a hawk while I was taking pics.
Look at his color change.

He didn't take his eye off of it untill it was gone.

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Thats awesome! I love your parsons!