Cham changing color on one side at a time; can you explain how they do this? (Video)

[EvilLost]

I'm sure we've all been fooled at one point or another by the general misconception that chameleons change colors to camouflage. But I was still under the impression that they were changing their "whole" body at a time and not that they had the ability to individually change select portions of their body.....

Short video here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ManiIsVideo?feature=mhee#p/a/u/1/39LSsi2xydU

I had never seen Clark do this before the day I filmed this video (he just finished his 3rd shed and got his "fired up" colors...he didn't have those before that morning either! ) but since then I've seen him do it multiple times. He's my first chameleon so I don't know how normal this is but I'm guessing all chams can do this.


My question for the more experienced keepers: Obviously they are not changing their "whole" body at once as I previously believed, but it still seems like he is changing one entire "side" at a time. Is there any scientific reasoning that explains this ? Or is he choosing to change his entire side (ie can they choose to change only certain parts or perhaps only individual scales if they so wanted to)?

I'd be interested in technical / scientific info on how the scales actually work as well

 

[Miss Lily]

Wow! That is amazing! When basking they flatten their bodies away from the heat source to increase surface area and darken the skin on that side to absorb more heat. The side that is away from the heat/sun remains in the 'normal' colours. Even shadows affect the colour changes - here's a pic of my first female, Lily, she was basking in the sun in a wire cage and when I created a shadow you could see the checked lines on her body where the wire had created shadows and her skin had not reacted. Pretty amazing stuff, eh?!

 

[giaindell]

Wow! That is amazing! When basking they flatten their bodies away from the heat source to increase surface area and darken the skin on that side to absorb more heat. The side that is away from the heat/sun remains in the 'normal' colours. Even shadows affect the colour changes - here's a pic of my first female, Lily, she was basking in the sun in a wire cage and when I created a shadow you could see the checked lines on her body where the wire had created shadows and her skin had not reacted. Pretty amazing stuff, eh?!

wow that is CRAZY!

 

[DavidBuchan]

That looks cool as. My Veileds do that as well, but same sort of green and brown colours, just a light side and a dark one. They sometimes have a bit of variation in pattern as well. I know its not exactly the same but if your leg is really hot then only your leg will sweat, not your arm. the scales and chromatophores are subconscious in the same way if thats what you meant. Otherwise its a more complicated biochemistry lesson you want, so I can't help

 

[bigcappa]

Wow your cham looks great Evil, and cool video as well! I also wonder if they can do this due to their dual eye sight, and knowing what is on either wide of them?!

 

[EvilLost]

@Miss Lily: fantastic picture....that actually explains *alot* of what I was trying to understand

@David: yea, I was looking for a more indepth biology "summary" of their color change

@bigcappa: thanks thats what I wondered a bit too but from what miss lily said it seems that it is a subconcious effect


EDIT:

That photo gives me an idea.....

We should theoretically be able to purposely light and then shadow our chams to induce a certain color change pattern right?? even if it only lasts a short while, it could make for a great photo!!

 

[reptimanny]

I love putting a peace sign on my chams when they are basking in the sun.

 

[Miss Lily]

Any shadow over them whilst basking will cause the skin in the shadow to lighten up. If my thumb or finger creates a shadow on Amy while she's outside, that bit always stays light and when I move my finger away you can really see the colour differences. Will try and get some pics for you! What I have found is that she only basks 'properly' ie darkening of the skin and flattening of the body to one side when she's outside in the sunshine. I have never seen her do it indoors under her lamps. Tommy, however, does bask under his light.