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Gecko Tongue

Chameleon Tongue

Although the gecko and the chameleon are descendents of the same ancestor, not to mention they are both reptiles, they have many differences. A chameleon adapted camouflage in order to blend into the background and communicate with other chameleons, while the gecko gained speed to run from predators. The chameleon has rotating eyes that can spot danger and prey easier, while the gecko did not gain that adaption. The chameleon adapted to have a longer tongue to catch prey easier, while the gecko along with other organisms did not.

Evolution of the Chameleon

By: Emily Suh, Ananya Somana, & Kiersten Slack

Whether you know them because of adorable character from the popular movie 'Tangled" or have seen them in a National Geographic magazine, these little critters called chameleons are known for their incredible ability to blend in with their background. But unfortunately, that is one of the few facts commonly known about them. These reptiles are fascinating in their history and evolution to what we see them as today. The story behind this small creature is huge. As we delve into depth about chameleons, you will find this species to be far more interesting than they may appear to the eye.

How Old!?

Get to Know Them!

Masters of Adaption

The Chamaeleo Chamaeleon—otherwise commonly known as the chameleon—are consumers and generally prey, but also predatory creatures. They are hunted by animals like snakes and birds. Their diet mostly consist of insects and small organisms; crickets are the most common food source for chameleons, but king meal worms, silkworms, fruit flies, wax worms, and domestic flies are a good source of food for them as well. Chameleons are omnivorous animals, meaning they eat both meat and plants, but lean towards a carnivorous diet. They are loners and tend to lead independent lifestyles.

The chameleon comes from the Phanerozoic Eon, Mesozoic Era, and the late Tertiary and early Cretaceous period. The most recent species of Chameleon was found in 1839 and is named "Trioceros", according to William John Swainson. Chameleon fossils dates back to about the late Tertiary and early Cretaceous period in now modern day China. During that time, Pangaea, the super continent, had just begun splitting. The first flowering plants had begun to appear on land and more familiar insect populations were on the rise. Also during that time a colossal asteroid struck the Earth causing for a dramatic increase in temperature. The oldest fossils that have been found of an infant chameleon were located in present day Myanmar in Southeast Asia from about 100 million years ago. It was a chameleon that had been perfectly encased in amber of coniferous tree.

As of times have greatly changed, the chameleon has as well. Chameleons are mostly located in Africa and some places in Asia in forests and deserts. This can be explained by the fact that they are accustomed to heat. Pangaea was splitting around the time they came into existence. The two continents were near by one another. Also, a defining feature of the chameleon is it's sticky, long tongue. Since insect populations were greatly increasing, they must have been easy prey and there was little competition, so to adapt they lengthen their tongues to hunt. Also, since chameleons are both predators and prey, they use their skin changing technique as a protection mechanism. As for the asteroid and high temperatures, chameleons were small in size allowing them to take cover much easier when destruction struck. They were able to survive while larger organisms such as big dinosaurs went extinct.

Bibliography

Livingston, Stephenie. "World’s Oldest Chameleon

Found in Amber Fossil." University of Florida. University of Florida, 4 Mar. 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

Bagley, By Mary. "Cretaceous Period: Animals, Plants &

Extinction Event." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 07 Jan. 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

"World's Oldest Chameleon Found in Amber Fossil."

World's Oldest Chameleon Found in Amber Fossil. Phys Org, 7 Mar. 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

Scalise, Joseph. "Fossil of World's Oldest Chameleon

Trapped in Amber -." Science Recorder. Science Recorder, 07 Mar. 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

"Chameleon."

(Chamaeleonidae). OpenCrypt Membership Software, 13 Nov. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

"Chameleon - Animal Facts."

Chameleon - Animal Facts. Tubehead, 02 July 2009. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

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