It’s a hot, dry day on the island of Madagascar. A large panther chameleon


lounges on a branch. T e lizard’s striped, green skin blends in with the leaves around him. With his swiveling eyes, the chameleon notices something. Another male chameleon is creeping toward him. Immediately, the fi rst chameleon begins


to change. He expands his rib cage and puff s out his throat to look bigger. T en he starts to change color. In just a few seconds, his skin changes to orange then red, and his stripes become bolder. His vivid colors make him stand out. T e message is clear: “Stay out of my territory!”


T e smaller male turns bright red. He


is ready to fi ght, too. T e chameleons hiss at each other. Soon they are butting heads and biting. T e large male overpowers the smaller


one. As the defeated male slinks away, he turns dark, dull colors. His colors tell the victor: “I give up. You are stronger.” A show of strength is just one way


chameleons use color to communicate. It was once thought that chameleons took on the color of whatever they touched. T at seemed to be true—they blended in so well in their environment. Yet now scientists know that isn’t the case.


Two colorful chameleons face off. Each hopes to scare the other away.


4 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


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