Chameleons are remarkable lizards that are well known for their ability to change color and blend in with their surroundings. This color changing ability, known as metachrosis, is used for camouflage and communication. However, when chameleons get sick, the colors they turn can provide clues into their health condition.
Chameleon Color Change Abilities
Chameleons have specialized skin cells called chromatophores that contain pigments and reflect light. By expanding and contracting these chromatophores, chameleons can adjust the color and pattern of their skin. The four main types of chromatophores are:
– Xanthophores – contain yellow pigments
– Erythrophores – contain red pigments
– Iridophores – reflect blues and greens due to plates of purines
– Melanophores – contain black/brown pigments
By combining and layering the colors created by these chromatophores, chameleons can produce a remarkable range of colors and patterns. Some examples of color signals in chameleons include:
– Browns and greens for camouflage and background matching
– Dark stripes and patterns to signal aggression
– Bright colors to attract mates and defend territories
– Paler colors to signal submission or lower stress
Normal Chameleon Color Changes
Under normal, healthy conditions chameleons primarily use color change for camouflage and communication. Some examples include:
– A relaxed chameleon is typically green or brown to match foliage
– Increased yellows and oranges can signal dominance and aggression
– Darker grays and blacks help blend into tree bark
– Spots and stripes visually break up the body outline
– Bright colors attract mates and defend territories
Healthy chameleons have full control over their color changing abilities. They can completely transform their appearance within seconds to adapt to new environments.
Colors of Sick Chameleons
When chameleons get sick, their color changing abilities become impaired. Often they lose control over the chromatophores, which can cause abnormal color patterns. Here are some common color changes that can indicate illness:
Darkening of Body Colors
Sick chameleons frequently darken their overall body colors, turning black, gray, brown or dark green. This is often caused by stress and inability to properly regulate colors.
Spots and Blotches
Spots, splotches and uneven blotchy patterns can appear on the skin of ill chameleons. This indicates an impaired ability to control chromatophores.
Excessive Paleness
An extremely pale or washed out appearance can signal sickness. Very light greens, yellows, oranges or grays indicate the chameleon is too weak to saturate its colors.
Loss of Bright Colors
Vibrant colors are energy intensive to produce, so sick chameleons often lose their bright reds, blues, greens and yellows. A dulled or muddied appearance may occur.
Dullness or Glossiness
Healthy chameleon skin has a matte look. Sick chameleons may take on a dull, almost milky appearance or seem unusually glossy. This can be caused by changes in skin hydration.
Blue Discoloration
A blue coloration on the limbs, tails, heads or patches of skin can indicate low oxygen circulation. This bluish tinge is from blood that lacks oxygen.
| Color Change | Indication |
|---|---|
| Darkening of body | Stress, inability to regulate colors |
| Spots/blotches | Impaired control over skin cells |
| Excessive paleness | Weakness, inability to saturate colors |
| Loss of bright colors | Low energy, illness |
| Dullness/glossiness | Skin hydration changes |
| Blue discoloration | Low oxygen circulation |
Why Do Sick Chameleons Lose Control over Color Change?
There are a few key reasons why illness impairs a chameleon’s ability to control its color changing:
Low Energy and Weakness
Generating bright, vibrant colors requires a lot of energy. Sickness diverts energy away from chromatophore control to other survival functions. Weakness from illness also makes it harder to exert control.
Disruptions to the Hypothalamus
This part of the brain controls subconscious body processes, including color change. Infections, parasites, and metabolic disorders can all impair the hypothalamus.
Skin Damage
Skin trauma, burns, lesions, or fungal infections can destroy chromatophores and prevent color change in affected areas.
Dehydration
Severe dehydration causes cells to shrink, which alters light reflection in the skin and causes dullness.
Hormonal Changes
Hormones regulate chromatophores, so hormonal problems and imbalances from illness can impair color change.
Neurological Disorders
Any disease affecting the nervous system can disrupt signals between the brain and skin, preventing proper chromatophore control.
Common Illnesses That Cause Color Change in Chameleons
Many different illnesses can impair a chameleon’s color changing abilities. Here are some of the most common:
– Metabolic Bone Disease – Caused by nutritional imbalances, leads to weakness, dullness, and bone deformities.
– Respiratory Infections – Viruses, bacteria and fungi reduce oxygen circulation, causing bluing of skin.
– Gastrointestinal Infections – Parasites, viruses and bacteria cause weakness, paleness, and darkening.
– Dehydration – Extreme fluid loss from illness causes skin to lose vibrancy.
– Shedding Problems – Poor sheds lead to dull patches that won’t reflect light properly.
– Thermal Burns – Hot rocks and lights damage skin cells and cause dark spots.
– Skin Infections – Bacterial and fungal diseases destroy chromatophores leading to abnormal patterns.
– Hypothalamic Disorders – Damage to this gland from trauma, tumors or toxins impairs color change.
– Kidney Disease – Toxins buildup and hormonal disruption alter color change.
– Neurological Disorders – Strokes, seizures and nerve damage cause loss of skin control.
Other Symptoms of Illness in Chameleons
In addition to color change, sick chameleons may show these other signs of poor health:
– Lethargy and decreased activity
– Loss of appetite or interest in food
– Swelling around eyes, mouth or neck
– Vomiting or diarrhea
– Congestion, wheezing, coughing or discharge from nose/mouth
– Abnormal shedding with retained eyecaps or skin
– Weight loss or muscle wasting
– Hunched posture or curled tail
– Twitches, tremors or loss of balance
– Swollen joints, bones or limbs
If a chameleon exhibits multiple symptoms in addition to color changes, it needs veterinary attention. Catching illnesses early greatly improves recovery outlook.
Conclusion
Chameleons have an incredible ability to shift their skin colors using specialized cells called chromatophores. While color change is normally used for camouflage and communication, sick chameleons often lose control over their color shifting abilities. Darkness, excessive paleness, loss of vibrancy, spots, blotches and bluing of skin are all signs of illness in chameleons. These changes occur due to weakness, skin damage, dehydration, neurological and hormonal disruptions from disease. With proper veterinary care for underlying causes, most chameleons can recover their beautiful color changing abilities and return to health.