How do chameleons change colors?
Chameleons change color in response to ambient conditions, their own mood, and to communicate with other chameleons. They change colors by sun variations and by their hormones. The surface of their skin contains several different types of chromatophores, cells which contain pigment that reflect different wavelengths of light. These pigments are moved within the cells to reflect specific colors while absorbing others. Which wavelengths are absorbed and which are reflected determines what color the chameleon is.
