Chameleons

Chameleons are a very cool but misunderstand, most people think that chameleons change color to camouflage in their surroundings but that is incorrect. Rather, they change color as a response to mood, temperature, health, communication, and light. Another large misconception is that all chameleons have the ability to change color, some only have limited abilities when it comes to color changing, for example many types of chameleons can only turn basic colors like green, brown, or gray. Other chameleons however hold the ability to change their colors dramatically. All chameleons primarily feed on insects by launching their long tongues from their mouths to capture prey (this is probably one of the coolest ways to eat and I'm jealous). This extreme color changing ability and the awesome tongue make chameleons one of the coolest animals out there. So how does a chameleon change its color? Under its skin, there are layers of colored cells controlled by nerves and hormones, the skin color changes depending on which color cells are expanded or contracted. Different species of chameleons show different colors for different emotions, usually the array of colors dictates what the colors mean to the chameleons.  Chameleons also have very interesting eyeballs that can rotate to give a chameleon full view of its surroundings. "Perhaps the strangest of animal eyes belong to the chameleon. They are mounted in twin conical turrets and can move independently of each other, giving the chameleon the ability to see all round itself when seeking prey, and binocular vision in front when it is preparing to strike with its long, sticky tongue." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:127) Chameleons eyes are unique and are another factor that makes me jealous of their superior abilities.

Random Chameleon Facts: 

• Almost half of the world’s chameleon species live on the island of Madagascar, with 59 different species existing nowhere outside of the island. There are approximately 160 species of chameleon. They range from Africa to southern Europe, and across south Asia to Sri Lanka. They have also been introduced into the United States in places such as Hawaii, California and Florida.
• Chameleons vary greatly in size and body structure, with maximum total length varying from 15 millimeters (0.6 in) in male Brookesia micra (one of the world’s smallest reptiles) to 68.5 centimeters (30 in) in the male Furcifer oustaleti. 
• Chameleons can't hear much. Like snakes, chameleons do not have an outer or middle ear so there is neither an ear opening nor an eardrum. However, chameleons are not deaf. They can detect sound frequencies in the range of 200-600 Hz.

http://twistedsifter.com/2012/11/ten-things-you-didnt-know-about-chameleons/