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CHAMELEON

Chameleons are slow moving lizards that most commonly live within trees and shrubs and feed largely on insects. They have the unusual characteristics of being able to change skin colour to camouflage themselves, have peripheral view from eyes that can look in different directions, are able to curl up their tail or use it as an anchor and hunt using their long tongues to catch their prey. Some have horns too, as many as three, but these seem to be very rarely used. These characteristics do make them seem very strange creatures but also does give them a successful ecological niche. However, an entrenched negative superstition about chameleons has developed within our Malawian cultures that stems from their unusual attributes. All chameleons feed mainly on insects, typically striking by catapulting their tongue at speed out of their mouth, trapping the target with the sticky end, swiftly returning the quarry to be crushed by their small teeth and to then be swallowed.

In life’s cycle, chameleons are in turn preyed upon by certain snakes and birds that have the ability to seek them out within their leafy habitat. In Malawi, common enemies are the arboreal snakes such as the green mamba, the boomslang and the vine snake.
Where do you find chameleons in Malawi?
Malawi is home to about ten different chameleons and Mt Mulanje is the habitat for the most species. Mulanje is home to five chameleons from the giant 50cm long Meller’s chameleon to the 3cm short dwarf chameleons found within the mountain forests. The local giant one-horned chameleon is long enough to sit along the length of your forearm and the dwarf chameleons are happy on your little finger!
The largest one, the Meller’s Chameleon or kalilombe, is the second largest in the world after the Oustelat’s Chameleon from Madagascar. Such is the fame of our local giant chameleons that they merited inclusion in David Attenborough’s Planet Earth reptile film documentary series “Living in Cold Blood.” The clip shows the peculiar aggression dance of two large males threatening each other for domination and access to females. These chameleons are known to catch small birds as food, but this is a feast that also is known to get away in the battle!
The commonest chameleon is the Flap-necked Chameleon that is regularly seen over the savannah and woodland areas of Malawi. This is a hornless chameleon that grows to a maximum of 15cm and also has an unusual staggered gait when walking. They are most commonly seen, as are the Meller’s Chameleons, crossing the road as the untrained eye will often struggle to see them amongst the foliage when they are motionless and camouflaged.
Amongst the more unusual are the two dwarf chameleon species that are found only on Mt Mulanje and nowhere else in the world. The unique Mt Mulanje Dwarf Chameleon and the Stump-tailed Chameleon are so small that the adults can easily lie along your little finger!
These are found within the valley rainforests on the upper slopes and the cloud forest fringes of the plateau of Mt Mulanje. As these two chameleons are unique to Mulanje, we need to carefully protect them and their habitat, as should the forests disappear so will they. Special mention of these two chameleons is very appropriate in this 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.
A creature of myth.
Local attitudes towards the chameleon are rooted in mythical description that clouds the harmless nature of this small animal.
Oral tradition recalls a story that unfortunately puts the chameleon in bad light, as it is said that ‘Chiuta (god) deputised the horned chameleon (kalilombe) and the lizard (nampoto) to take the human beings a message, the one of life and the other of death. The chameleon was to inform humans that when they died they would return to life again, while the lizard was to tell them that when they died it would be for good. The chameleon started first but his pace was very slow and hesitant, so he was soon overtaken by the lizard, who reached the humans ahead of the chameleon and gave them Chiuta’s message that death was final. A little while later the chameleon arrived and announced that although humans would die they would return to life again. But the humans were very angry with the chameleon for bringing the message so late, as they had already accepted the earlier message from Chiuta.’. And so the chameleon has remained in a negative light in Malawian cultural beliefs.
Are chameleons magical?
No, they are lizards that have just evolved some unique attributes over many millions of years to adapt slowly to their circumstances and these have made them successful survivors.
First, they have the ability to change their skin colour in response to their surroundings or to reflect their temperament. They can change to a very similar plant leaf colouration they can be so camouflaged that prey can be unaware of their presence and also it is very difficult for any hunter to see them. A very advantageous ability! They also use their colour changing ability to communicate with other chameleons of the same species, challenging other males or courting females! The colour changing works as chameleons have a range of different coloured pigment cells under their skin and as the same coloured cells change in size on receiving signals from the brain the overall colour of the lizard changes.
Secondly, all chameleons have eyes positioned prominently on both sides of their head that can operate independently of each other and almost create a full 360-degree visual perspective of their surrounds. The two eyes can focus on two entirely different objects and the brain is able to scale the vision so that it understands the perspective of what it is watching on both sides of the head within the 360-degree view.
This ability is unique to chameleons and enables them to quickly spot and respond to both their hunters and prey. Sharp stereoscopic focus is critical to ensuring that the tongue is aimed precisely.
Third, they hunt with a weapon few other animals use, their tongue! A chameleon tongue can be as long as their body and is coiled within their mouth to be very rapidly ejected to catch insects with the added advantage of a ‘sticky’ end to ensure escape is difficult. Typically they sit on a branch usually in a flowering or fruiting tree that attracts many insects, being well camouflaged and able to watch all around, they wait patiently for a prey to come close by, then turn, eject their tongue and in a second they are crunching their meal to a pulp to swallow. The tongue base has a bone that shoots it out the mouth faster than human eyesight can follow and the tip has a globular muscle covered in mucus that sticks to the target.
Are chameleons poisonous?… dangerous?
No, neither, not at all, ever! Although they are almost defenseless against us ruthless humans, they are quick to challenge anyone who tries to tease them but it really is just bluff. They do look intimidating when they turn black, open their mouth wide and hiss loudly. But that is all they can do and they rarely bite, even when you put your finger in their mouths and even if they did, their teeth are so small you would not see any cuts on your skin.
The Wrong Attitude! Lets change
Unfortunately in Malawi the prevalent superstition about chameleons breeds a cultural fear and awe for these graceful unusual reptiles. In some areas they are killed only for that simple reason. That negative attitude is not positive for the conservation status of the chameleon which is particularly sad as many of those species found in Malawi are unique and therefore their existence could soon be threatened. The next time you see a chameleon, stop and take some time to observe the creature and you will be rewarded with an experience that is fascinating. At the very least, please let these lizards go their own way and give them a little care and protection so that they can reach the cover of nearby plant-life.

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