How does a chameleons vision work?

[Jac1582]

I'm hoping someone can answer how a chameleon sees things. Is it split screen, or like an omnimax theater or planetarium?

 

[Solid Snake]

Its my understanding that they only focus on one eye at a time, and the signal coming from the other eye would be like peripheral vision, which they could switch over and focus on say, if they noticed movement or something.

 

[szpond]

Oh, really? A long time ago I read (who knows if it's all nonsense) that they see one full image just like we do. Our two eyes see a very different image (try covering one eye), but we see it all as one. I don't know how this would happen for a chameleon and I don't remember where I read this, but it sure is interesting!

 

[jojothefirst]

Its my understanding that they only focus on one eye at a time, and the signal coming from the other eye would be like peripheral vision, which they could switch over and focus on say, if they noticed movement or something.

Im sure I have read this also and when you think about the way they behave when there out of there viv it does make sense.

 

[pssh]

I've read about them using one eye at a time as well. Then they use both when shooting by focusing both on the same thing.

 

[cricketkilla]

I've read about them using one eye at a time as well. Then they use both when shooting by focusing both on the same thing.

I've read this as well. If it wasn't true, they could shoot prey with only one eye focusing and the other wandering..

 

[Jac1582]

Ok cool, I've been wondering about this for awhile now. Thanx everyone

 

[Psychobunny]

According to some herp paper I read, they can see depth (stereo vision) with only one eye!! this is how they are ably to zap a bug
they know exactly how long to shoot their tounge.
Humans need both eyes for stereo vision and depth perception.

 

[Elizadolots]

Here's a rather simplistic explanation:http://library.thinkquest.org/27066/depth/nlotherdepth.html

I'm a bit surprised, I'd just assumed they needed both eyes to hunt.

 

[pssh]

Here's a rather simplistic explanation:http://library.thinkquest.org/27066/depth/nlotherdepth.html

I'm a bit surprised, I'd just assumed they needed both eyes to hunt.

I thought they needed both to hunt well? After hearing stories about how chameleons that only have one working eye after having both end up having trouble hunting until they learn to compensate (if they do?)

 

[kinyonga]

I had a male panther whose eye was removed due to cancer. After a few days he figured out how to hit the insects about 80% of the time.

Here are some sites that might help...
Go to advanced topics...science and conservation...and look at the thread "some potential insight into chameleon eyes, brains,and "handedness".

 

[Elizadolots]

This doesn't address the question, but I found this cool 20 second video that's a close up of a chameleon's eye as it looks around. Put it on full screen!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3974724235241885111