Many lizards change their skin coloration. These shifts allow them to adapt and display a wide array of colors. This adaptation serves several purposes for their survival.
Lizards That Change Color
Chameleons are widely recognized for their impressive ability to change colors rapidly. Panther chameleons exhibit vivid yellow, orange, green, and turquoise hues, often shifting in seconds. Their color changes are primarily for communication and thermoregulation, not solely for camouflage.
Anoles, like the green anole, transition between shades of green and brown. Their color is influenced by temperature, stress, and social interactions. Iguana species, such as green and spiny-tailed iguanas, also change color. They display various tones, changing rapidly based on mood, environment, or breeding. Male iguanas may develop vibrant orange or rust colors during breeding.
Gecko species, like house and Moorish geckos, make subtle adjustments, primarily for blending. These changes respond to light, temperature, and stress. Bearded dragons adjust color for thermoregulation and social displays, with males showing orange colors and black beards to signal dominance.
How Lizards Change Color
Lizards change color through specialized cells called chromatophores, located within skin layers. Different types contain various pigments or light-reflecting structures. Melanophores, in the deepest layer, contain dark melanin pigments; their expansion or contraction makes skin appear darker or lighter.
Above melanophores are xanthophores (yellow pigments) and erythrophores (red or orange pigments). Iridophores, also known as guanophores, are important in some species, like chameleons. These cells contain microscopic guanine crystals that reflect light; adjusting their spacing produces structural colors like blues and greens. The nervous and endocrine systems control these cells, signaling pigments to concentrate or disperse.
Why Lizards Change Color
Lizards change color for adaptive reasons that enhance their survival. One purpose is thermoregulation, as lizards are ectothermic animals relying on external heat sources. They darken their skin to absorb more solar radiation when cold, and lighten it to reflect sunlight and cool down when overheated.
Color changes also play a role in communication. Lizards use shifting hues to convey mood, territorial claims, or reproductive readiness. Male anoles, for example, display a dewlap to attract mates or challenge rivals. Coloration changes can also signal stress, fear, or aggression.
Camouflage is another function, allowing some lizards to blend with surroundings to avoid predators or ambush prey. For species like chameleons, social signaling and temperature regulation are more frequent drivers than background matching.