There are more than 100 varieties of these lizards in the warm ocean water areas of the world. They range in size from three inches to nearly two feet long. All of them look fierce but are actually harmless, except to the insects and small creatures that become their food.
Some chameleons have long, stilt-like legs, raising their bodies quite high; most have short legs with strong claws, helping them to climb trees and rocks. Their tails are as long as the rest of their bodies. Their tongues can, in a split second, stretch out even farther than the length of their bodies to snatch an insect. Their eyes are most unusual—each moves independently of the other, so that they may look ahead with one and behind with the other at the same time. They can also see what’s going on at both sides without turning their heads.
But the most amazing feature about chameleons is the beautiful blending of a wide variety of colors. The Creator has given them the ability to change these colors in a few moments to match their surroundings, if they need to hide from an enemy.
One of the most striking in color is the female panther of Madagascar. To attract a mate, she takes on a lovely blend of bright red with areas of deep yellow, green and white. The base of her throat is decorated with white-tipped red spearheads, which are actually quite soft and harmless.
Another, the yemeness of Saudi Arabia, will often change himself to an amazing combination of light and dark green, with areas of light yellow and deep orange. To us this looks frightening, but to another yemeness it is very attractive.
One that looks really vicious is named Parson’s and lives in the jungles of an island in the Indian Ocean. It is commonly a mixture of pale green and bright blue on its lower parts, with the upper section tan, spotted with green, brown and white. From the top of its back, coal-black stripes reach all the way around its body. Its jaws, when closed, look very much like a corncob with two rows of big kernels of yellow corn.
Another, named Jackson’s, living in the highlands of Africa, is most unusual looking. One strange feature is that each jaw has a pink carrot-shaped horn—one a little above the other—sticking straight out, with sharp points looking like vicious weapons, but which are only used to pick up food.
The above Bible verse assures us chameleons are one more interesting display of God’s creation over which He shows loving care. And His invitation to each of us is to “[cast] all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:77Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7)). Have you accepted that wonderful invitation?
ML-12/29/2013