Can Chameleons hear?

joshbert · Jan 18, 2009

This is a stupid question, but can chameleons hear?

jojackson · Jan 18, 2009

I think they have some dull Audio capacity within the ultra-low frequency range. I recall reading something about vibration level sound used in communication between them. Not sure what species. With no outer opening Id assume their capacity to pick up airborn sound in higher frequencies to be rather limited.

Initiation of substrate vibrations during courtship has also been reported recently in vertebrates. The veiled chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus, produces plant-borne vibrations that may be used in communication (Barnett et al., 1999). This is especially intriguing because Hartline (1971) noted thirty years ago that structures for hearing in chameleons and snakes were at least superficially similar, and thus chameleons might detect substrate vibrations (Barnett et al., 1999).
--American Zoologist, Vibration and animal communication

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3746/is_200111/ai_n8998765/pg_2?tag=artBody;col1

http://www.veiled-chameleon.com/weblog/archives/000158.html

Chameleons have very limited hearing, tuning in to frequencies between 200 and 600 Hz as compared to most other lizards from 100 to 4000 Hz, and to humans 20 to 20,000 Hz. Most snakes can pick up sound waves between 100 to 700 Hz.

Chameleons ears have degenerated over time, are covered with scales, and possess no eardrums.

Female C. Oweni, and C. Johnstoni are known to produce low purring sounds when being handled by humans or approached by males of their species. Male veiled chameleons have been recorded (see LINKS PAGE - interesting sites to hear this) "hooting" during the pre-mating rituals

http://chamownersweb.net/misc/likkinlizerds1.htm

HEARING

Like snakes, chameleons have no external ears. Airborne sound vibrations are absorbed by a membrane of skin on the side of the head, directing them to a bony plate inside the skull. The bone (pterygoid plate) then funnels the vibrations down a tight, convoluted pathway to the inner ear. While the ear can sense sound ranging from 100 to 10,000 cycles, it best "hears" between 200-600 cycles, about what a snake "hears." In other words, they hear sounds more like a tuba makes than a flute, not responding to sound frequencies above middle C on the piano.

http://www.altaranchopet.com/Information_library/reptile_handouts/chameleon_care1.htm

previous thread here with links of intrest

https://www.chameleonforums.com/do-chameleons-hear-1823/

RachelRiot · Jan 18, 2009

So all the times when I go in my herp room and talk to my Brody she cant hear a damn thing I am saying? lol

Justin Carl · Jan 18, 2009

Nope, no ear holes.

jojackson · Jan 18, 2009

Outer ear holes are not nessesary for hearing Justin.

naich · Jan 18, 2009

they hear by vibrations

Justin Carl · Jan 18, 2009

jojackson said:
Outer ear holes are not nessesary for hearing Justin.

I guess, if you want to be technical.
We are talking about chameleons though.
If I scream at one of my chameleons when it's sleeping, it doesn't wake up.
If I stick a speaker next to one of my chameleons and play some music with bass, then it will wake up.

desultadox · Jan 18, 2009

I just screamed every 4-letter word in the book at my sleeping chameleon at the top of my lungs and you're right, he didn't wake up, but I think the neighbors called the cops on me, brb.

jannb · Jan 18, 2009

Justin Carl said:
Nope, no ear holes.

Now Justin, you know my guys hear me.

hallenhe · Jan 18, 2009

RachelRiot said:
So all the times when I go in my herp room and talk to my Brody she cant hear a damn thing I am saying? lol

No, but they're great lip-readers...

RachelRiot · Jan 18, 2009

hallenhe said:
No, but they're great lip-readers...

lol I hope so cause she will be reading I love you an awful lot.

When I go back to school in August I am going to be more sad about leaving her all day than leaving my daughter.

Fred · Jan 18, 2009

RachelRiot said:
lol I hope so cause she will be reading I love you an awful lot. When I go back to school in August I am going to be more sad about leaving her all day than leaving my daughter.

Whatcha going to school for? I'm taking my last two semesters for my A.A. Degree and my pre-Reqs for Nursing School, I'm applying for Nursing in Aug. : ) I hate leaving fred and I'm only gone for one hour in the morning and 3 at night!!

RachelRiot · Jan 18, 2009

Fred said:
Whatcha going to school for? I'm taking my last two semesters for my A.A. Degree and my pre-Reqs for Nursing School, I'm applying for Nursing in Aug. : ) I hate leaving fred and I'm only gone for one hour in the morning and 3 at night!!

I am going to do cosmetology. I really want to get away from computers.

As much as I love them I hate the headaches. Plus I get to be around people and be creative at the same time.

I have been a stay at home mom for the last 5 years so I am excited to get out of my house more.

Can Chameleons hear?

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