a chameleons brain capacity

[olivemcclu]

I'm wondering what a chameleons brain is capable of doing. Does their memory allow them to remember places (outdoors vs indoors, new cage vs old cage)? Also, does anyone have any idea how they process the different information coming from both eyes at the same time? I'd like to know the basic functions of the brain so I can understand how she thinks better

 

[ridgebax1]

I don't think a whole lot of research has been done on Chameleon's and their capacity for learning etc. There are some articles out there though. Here are my thoughts:

They can learn; Omar knew that there would be food in the white cup hanging from his lower branch. Often he would check it out before I put his food in there. As soon as I did he would make his way down to it and eat.

They can remember some things. Omar also knew that when I opened the door I would sometime reach in to take him out and he would run away.

They sleep differently than we do and I don't think they dream. Clearly from some of the positions my chams would get into to sleep indicates to me that their sleep is different from ours. When we dream often our muscles are naturally paralyzed so we do not act out the dreams we are having. Chams have to hold tight to whatever perch they choose for sleep or they would fall.

They are curious and explore their environment; I have noticed if I add a new plant Clouseau would check it out.

They do not have the capacity for reasoning, they do not act out of emotion, they react instinctually.

I would bet a large portion of their brains are dedicated to vision and processing the visual stimulation received by both eyes. And they do have to focus both eyes forward using depth perception to catch an insect. Similar to dogs whose olfactory sensation is much more complex than ours but their brains are built to handle that stimulation. I think that going to the vet etc for them would be like us walking into a room with a hundred people very loudly talking all at once. This may be why some chameleons seem to get freaked out by some of the clothing or coloration of clothing worn by their keepers.

I think they are perfectly adapted with all they need to know built in but also have a capacity to learn and remember. I also think they may be smarter than we realize, but in a different way. Just because they cannot understand quantum physics does not mean they are stupid creatures.

 

[Leslie11]

smarts

I remember someone...I think JannB posting pics of chameleons reaching up to them to get out. LOL. It was so cute.