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Many people think that a chameleon changes its color spontaneously and mimics the world around it. There are those who believe that the color of a reptile depends on its mood.
<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNm4qpWGtKQDZjLJXkWYWPcgbindCx1wa5LiA9k6K674V/image.png)
[Source](https://enlenguapropia.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/por-que-somos-tan-veletas/)</center>

In principle, both opinions are true, in part. To see this, let's study a little about this curious animal.

The words **"emotional coloring"** mean a lot to a chameleon. It is proven that the ability of a reptile to change color mainly indicates the subtleties of its mental state.

On the skin of chameleons there are special cells: chromatophores, whose main task is to reflect and disperse the beams of light. Chromatophores redistribute the pigments of the four primary colors, providing a particular color.

However, recently studied iridophore pigment cells, which contain guanine crystals, a nitrogenous base, which is also an important element in DNA and RNA replication, play a more important role in chameleon color.
<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNcbG6rgR1FrghnLz8qUVZNgmpu8324BQCw4q3R52CXZ8/image.png)
[Source](https://wichosbichos.wordpress.com/2016/08/26/localidades-camaleon-pantera/)</center>
These crystals are arranged in a clearly structured lattice form, packaged in special processes and placed in the stellar structure of the cell. Then the optics turn on. Depending on the state of the chameleon, the duration of the processes may vary.

 Therefore, the reptile, without knowing it, regulates the color spectrum reflected by the guanine, because even a slight change in the duration of said process provides a greater or lesser transmittance for a given wavelength.

On the infrared spectrum it is worth mentioning separately. It was discovered that in the deep layers of the chameleon's skin there is a second type of iridophor, the accumulations of guanine in them are arranged to cut infrared rays, but not completely, up to 40-45%. It is assumed that this particular feature allows chameleons not to overheat in the sun.

Now presenting the approximate mechanism of operation of this interesting system, we can set aside the microscope and return to the state of mind and state of the chameleon.

The colors red, yellow, black and brown are created by chromatophores. And all other colors, including classic green, are obtained as a result of the more complex work of the iridophores.
<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmeMt3VJmwcp5d1wcRG7TJCqmVXqEt9YaijLGqKAS2osSw/image.png)[Source](https://animalesexoticos.wiki/blog-animales/camaleones-cambio-de-color/)</center>

As a result, the color predominantly green and blue indicates a calm state of the reptile. 
<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdCPKJWmWxt6ptW2WknsfwrUmYBVpyACWEHy7UkxtkekF/image.png)
[Source](https://animalesexoticos.wiki/blog-animales/camaleones-cambio-de-color/)</center>

When a threat occurs or during the mating season, a kind of hormonal increase occurs, the duration of the iridophore processes increases and the color changes to red-yellow.

By the way, if a chameleon sees its own reflection, it will perceive it as another individual. Consequently, the color will also change to combat, with a predominance of yellow and red, and the chameleon itself will take a threatening pose.
<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNsALiSrBRNsaEsBod597XZZgSMFMhtvwT7vUpWZmeefN/image.png)
[Source](https://noticiasdelaciencia.com/art/9136/los-camaleones-se-comunican-entre-si-mediante-cambios-de-color)</center>

If the animal has pain or is weak, the distance between the crystals is reduced, separate dark spots appear and the general composition of the color fades, almost colorless.

## Source:
[1](https://coonwood.ru/es/uhod-za-volosami/kakoi-hameleon-luchshe-menyaet-cvet-pochemu-hameleon-menyaet-cvet.html) [2](https://animalesexoticos.wiki/blog-animales/camaleones-cambio-de-color/)