Veiled chameleons casques

[Veiled chameleons121]

If they are not used for fighting over females, what are they used for appart from making them look stunning

 

[ridgebax1]

I think it is mostly a stud factor! It also helps divert water from condensation and mist for drinking.

 

[fluxlizard]

Long ago I read that maybe the casque could also help collect dew for drinking. Don't know how true that is. But actual scientists thought it was true at one point. In some parts of their range there is more dew than actual rain.

A lot of ornamentation like that is also used in lizards for thermoregulation- Depending on what the lizard is doing (sitting angled to the sun, or sitting in a shady, breezy place) blood pumped into a casque like that will heat and cool much faster than in other parts of the body.

They also store fat there. Good for veiled habitat- some parts of their natural range don't see rain for years.

It also makes them a little harder to swallow.

 

[Carlton]

It also makes them a little harder to swallow.

GREAT comment!!!

I'd agree....display, a sign of good genes and health, species recognition, and possibly the idea of a "fin" that collects dew and directs it down to the mouth as the cham pushes its way through dense wet foliage.

 

[italian chameleon]

it' where thay store 50% of their awesomeness, the other 50% is in the yellow stripes

 

[Olimpia]

It's pretty much guaranteed that female sexual selection is a big factor as far as the size of the casque. Any time there is dramatic sexual dimorphism female choice is a big player.

 

[ataraxia]

The strength in bite come from the muscle that extends to the caaque

 

[Veiled chameleons121]

it' where thay store 50% of their awesomeness, the other 50% is in the yellow stripes

hahahahahahaah nice!!!!!!