Chameleons possess a remarkable ability to change color through the manipulation of specialized skin cells known as chromatophores, iridophores, and melanophores. Chromatophores contain pigments and are responsible for the base colors, such as red, yellow, and brown. Beneath them, iridophores reflect light and create iridescent hues by refracting light waves, while melanophores contain dark melanin that can absorb light. By expanding or contracting these cells, chameleons can alter the composition and distribution of colors in their skin rapidly.
This color change serves multiple purposes: it allows chameleons to blend into their environments for effective camouflage from predators, helps regulate their body temperature by reflecting or absorbing sunlight, and facilitates social interactions with other chameleons during mating displays or territorial disputes. The intricate coordination of these skin cells enables them to display a wide spectrum of colors and patterns, making chameleons one of nature’s most fascinating examples of adaptive coloration.