Which reptile is known for its ability to change color?

The chameleon is the reptile known for its ability to change color. Chameleons are specialized lizards in the family Chamaeleonidae, and many species can alter both their coloration and patterns.

The popular explanation is camouflage, but color change also plays major roles in communication, courtship, aggression, stress, and temperature regulation. A darker color can help a chameleon absorb more heat, while lighter colors can reflect sunlight.

The color shift is produced partly by layers of skin containing microscopic guanine crystals. By changing the spacing of these crystals, a chameleon changes which wavelengths of light its skin reflects. Pigments in the skin add to the resulting colors.

Chameleons are also distinctive for independently moving eyes, grasping feet, prehensile tails, and projectile tongues. A common misconception is that they instantly match any background; in reality, the speed and range of color change vary considerably by species, and social signaling is often more important than camouflage.