Chameleon is considered one of the most amazinginhabitants of our planet. He is able not only to change his color, but also to look in two directions at the same time. Therefore, there is nothing strange in the fact that many people are interested in how the chameleons look and live. In what country you can meet these creatures, you will learn from today's article.
Habitat
These reptiles inhabit steppes, savannahs, deserts andrainforests. Their main habitats are Sri Lanka, South India, the Middle East and North Africa. Those who want to understand where chameleons live will be interested to know that they often meet in Hawaii and in the US.
Many of them settle in the trees. But some species of African reptiles living in the Namib desert, burrow holes in sand dunes and hide in them from cold and heat.
Appearance
Having figured out where the chameleons live in nature,It is necessary to understand how these creatures look. The skin of these reptiles belonging to the family of lizards has two pigment layers. This is precisely what explains their ability to change their color.
Широкое тело этих удивительных животных покрыто small scales, and on a rather narrow head there are small hillocks, horns or a crest. As a rule, such formations are present in males.
For those who want to understand where chameleons are in Tunisialive, it will be interesting to learn about another feature of tree lizards. Their eyes are almost completely closed with coalescent eyelids, on which only small holes for the pupils are located. In addition, these reptiles have a very long tongue. They are able to throw him out of his mouth at a distance greater than the size of their torso. On the paws of animals there are two or three intergrown toes, directed in opposite directions. Such clawlike limbs allow chameleons to easily move through the trees.
As for the size, they depend on the typereptiles. So, the length of some of them does not exceed thirty millimeters, while others grow to sixty centimeters. Also these creatures have a tenacious tail, with which they seize and hold objects.
Features of behavior
Those who already understood where the chameleons live, do notprevent information that they like to gather in small groups consisting of six individuals. Looking for a comfortable branch for themselves, they cling to it with their paws and tail. In this position, reptiles are able to spend about twenty-four hours. Leave a convenient branch, located at a decent height from the surface of the earth, they can only make a really good deal.
Having understood where the chameleons live will not beIt is superfluous to mention that among all inactive animals only they are able to sit in one place for hours, and sometimes for days, waiting for the prey to come. They feed on locusts, grasshoppers, crickets and other insects. The diet of large individuals is a bit more diverse. They feed on birds and small lizards.
How do these reptiles breed?
The mating period depends on the time of year and place.habitat. In the midst of the mating season, the males become very aggressive. They arrange real tournaments, the winners of which get the right to become the head of the “harem” on their site. They are painted in bright warlike colors, inflate and hiss at each other. Males butt each other with located shoots on the head and bite rivals.
Understanding where chameleons live, you need to figure outexactly how they multiply. Interestingly, they can do this in several different ways. But representatives of most species prefer reproduction habitual for reptiles. At one time, the female can lay between fifteen and eighty eggs. Then she buries them deep in the ground or hangs them on a tree branch. The duration of the incubation period is up to ten months.
Some varieties of chameleons areviviparous. Such reptiles have up to fourteen babies, for whom a kind of "nursery" is being built. The babies are glued with mucus directly to the branches of the trees and fed for a certain period.
Some species of these animals are capable of parthenogenesis. Females without males lay unfertilized eggs. Subsequently, full viable calves hatch from them.
