How do chameleons change color?

You've probably heard that chameleons change color to blend into their background and hide.

But new research shows they're more often adjusting appearance in order to regulate their bod temperature or to communicate.

Chameleons can't just matc the pattern of any environment they find themselves in.

And to be honest, they usually don't have to.

They're already pretty well camouflaged.

They can get a little lighter or darker, though, to better match their surroundings.

And since lizards are exothermic meaning they can't regulate their own body temperature, they sometimes change their hue to help them absorb more or less sunlight.

But their most dramatic color changes are saved for communication to attract a mate or defend their territory to make bold colors.

Chameleons have special nanocrystals in their skin that they can move closer together or farther apart by tensing and relaxing.

Changing the positions of those crystals allows them to reflect different wavelengths of light, making them appear different colors.

Wish I could do that.

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