Why Do Chameleons Change Colors?

Imagine wearing a coat that can change its pattern to match your surroundings. This is how chameleons survive and communicate.

Inside a chameleon's skin are tiny boxes called chromatophores. Some hold red pigment, some hold yellow, and some hold black. When the chameleon wants to look green, it spreads out the yellow and red boxes while hiding the dark ones.

People think chameleons change color only to hide. That is not the whole story. They also change color to talk to each other. A bright red might mean 'stay away'. A pale blue might mean 'I am calm'.

Color also helps with temperature. Dark colors soak up heat like a black shirt on a sunny day. Light colors reflect heat like a white shirt. The chameleon chooses its color to stay comfortable.

It is not magic. It is a clever mix of biology and physics.