Anatomy Question

[jojackson]

Just wondered if somebody could explain to me, the possible purpous of the line of bumps/seam that runs from under my veilds chin along his underside, is for? I assume there is some sensitivity, perhaps they act like a cats wiskers, to tell him how much room is beneath him???

I know, This may be the funnist thing you ever heard , but it just never occured to me before now, surely there must be some reason for it to be there? Just cant imagine what evolutionary/adaptive purpous it may serve.

Who knows?

 

[Miss Lily]

I don't know, but I call Lily's her zip, lol! I love the bit where it splits in two (presumably the umbillicus, if they have one!)- looks just like she's been zipped up! The bits under her chin I call ice cream cones, cos they look like cones when she sheds them! (Yes, I am nuts!)

 

[jojackson]

Homer looks weird when he puffs his throat out, the seam really sticks out, and he seems to kind of shove the flappy bit to one side to soak up more sun. Chams really are the strangest reptiles of all!

 

[Trace]

I believe the crests (gular, ventral, dorsal) evolved to break up the shape of the reptile and help them blend in with their surroundings. A fuzzy, broken shape is much harder for a predator to see than a solid outline.

Cheers,
T

 

[SliK JiM]

I believe the crests evolved to break up the shape of the reptile and help them blend in with their surroundings. A fuzzy, broken shape is much harder for a predator to see than a solid outline.

Cheers,
T

I like that explanation.

I'm guessing you mean the gular crest yeah? I always thought it was there for display purposes to ward off other chameleons (and other animals too). They 'puff' up and it sticks out and looks menacing. Most of a chameleons facial adornments are for this purpose and species recognition(horns etc).

 

[jojackson]

Sounds right on the money Trace, dont know why that logic eluded me. Makes them look much more leaf like when they flatten out too!
Excellent answer, Thanks!

I'm guessing you mean the gular crest yeah?

Yeah Lol, the 'spikey bits'! My biology teacher hated me too!