There are more than 80 species of chameleons, a lizard relative, ranging from three to twenty inches long. They live among the trees of Madagascar, Africa, India and southern Spain, as well as in desert areas. A Latin name meaning ground lion is sometimes given to them and seems appropriate as the males look ferocious, many of them having from one to four horns protruding forward from their large heads, as well as crests or loose flaps of skin over their short necks. However, they only look fierce and are entirely harmless.
With the exception of one called stump-tailed and a few others, all have long tails, curling at the end to grab a branch, just as many monkeys do. This is particularly important for the Madagascar giant which lives in treetops. Along with strong, sharp claws, this tail enables it to move quickly and safely from branch to branch as it hunts its food. How wisely the Lord God has provided for all their individual needs!
Unlike their cousins the geckos which have no eyelids at all, the chameleon’s protruding eyes are almost completely covered by eyelids, leaving only a narrow opening. But their eyes, which turn independently of each other, can look forward and backward at the same time — a great help in finding food and escaping from enemies. Incidentally, if an enemy grabs one by its tail, it just lets its tail drop loose and scoots away. After a while a new tail grows!
For the most part they are slow moving, but their long tongue, which is in many segments, unfolds out of a yellow mouth too quickly for flies, beetles and other insects to escape.
All chameleons can change their color instantly when frightened or wishing to conceal themselves. No one can really explain just how this is done, but it is a further provision of the Creator in His care over them. Color changes are usually in shades of green, yellow, brown, blue or may be mixed.
The many species of this little creature speak of God’s pleasure in making varieties different in appearance from one another and yet all remaining true chameleons. As the Bible verse says, “For Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:1111Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11). Lacking strength to either attack their enemies or defend themselves, we can also see how the Creator has wisely provided for their every need in securing food, as well as protecting themselves by wonderful disguises.
As our opening verse tells us, the Lord God has also created every one of us and wants us to be His special people in ways no animal could ever know. This can be done only when we admit to Him that we are sinners in need of a Saviour and accept by faith in our hearts the One who died on Calvary to take care of those sins. How about you? Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour?
ML-07/06/1986