15 colour changing reptiles you didn't know about

Time of India

14-07-2025

The world of reptiles is full of fascinating creatures, and one of the most intriguing aspects of some reptiles is their ability to change colour. This remarkable trait, known as camouflage or colour morphing, is common in lizards like chameleons, anoles, and geckos.
But it's not just limited to lizards, some snakes and even turtles can subtly change shades to blend with their surroundings.
Colour change in reptiles serves multiple purposes. It helps them adapt to their environments by blending into natural backgrounds. It also plays a role in communication, allowing reptiles to signal dominance, attract mates, or express stress or aggression. Additionally, changing colour can aid in thermoregulation, with darker shades absorbing more heat when the animal is cold and lighter shades reflecting sunlight to keep them cool.
From chameleons to snakes: Discover the colour changing reptiles
1. Chameleons
Chameleons are perhaps the most iconic-colour changing reptiles. These masters of disguise can change their skin colour to blend in with their surroundings, making them expert hunters and difficult prey.
2. Veiled chameleon
The veiled chameleon displays a wide range of colours including blue, black, and ultraviolet hues. Males develop bold patterns during courtship, while environmental factors like temperature and humidity influence their coloration.
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They can create complex colour gradients across their bodies, with different sections displaying different colours.
3. The knight anole
The knight anole can shift from bright emerald green to dark brown or black in under a minute, depending on temperature, mood, and social interactions. This ability is used for social signaling, thermoregulation, and responding to threats. Their colour changes are most pronounced during morning hours as they warm up, often displaying patchwork patterns of green and brown.
4. The helmeted lguana
T
he Helmeted Iguana has a subtle yet precise colour-changing ability, shifting between earth tones like green, brown, gray, and tan to blend in with tree bark and lichen. Unlike other reptiles, their colour changes are slow, taking up to an hour, but highly effective, making them nearly invisible on tree trunks. During breeding, males display enhanced green tones and darker throat patches.
5. Skinks
Skinks are a type of lizard that can change colour to adapt to their surroundings, displaying vibrant colours or blending in with their environment. This ability to change colour helps them regulate their body temperature, communicate with other skinks, and evade predators. Some species of skinks can display bright colors or patterns, while others can blend in seamlessly with their surroundings.
6. Geckos
The Moorish Gecko changes colour to adapt to changing light conditions, displaying darker colours during the day and lighter colours at night for camouflage.
Their colour changes are hormone-driven and gradual, also helping with thermoregulation. Urban populations have developed specialised colour adaptations to match man-made structures, showing rapid evolutionary responses to human environments.
7. Green anacondas
Green anacondas are one of the largest snakes in the world, and they have a remarkable ability to change colour to blend in with their aquatic environment.
This camouflage allows them to lie in wait for unsuspecting prey, making them expert hunters. Their colour-changing ability is thought to be linked to the structure of their skin. Green anacondas colour changes are often subtle, but they can darken or lighten their skin to match the surroundings.
8. Western fence lizard
The western fence lizard, changes colour to adapt to temperature, light, and predator presence.
They darken to absorb heat when cold and lighten to reflect sunlight in extreme heat. Males display vibrant blue patches during breeding season.
9. Mwanza flat-headed rock agama
The "Spider-Man Agama" is a striking colour-changer, with males displaying vibrant red and blue colours during breeding and territorial displays. They can rapidly dull these colours when stressed or submissive. Dominant males maintain bright colours, while subordinates suppress theirs.
These lizards also recognize individual neighbours and adjust their colour displays accordingly, showcasing a complex social communication system.
10. Jackson's chameleons
Jackson's chameleons are known for their impressive horns and ability to change colour, displaying a range of colours and patterns. These remarkable creatures can shift their skin colour to blend in with their surroundings, communicate with other chameleons, or express emotions.
11. Leopard lizards
Leopard lizards can change their colour to adapt to their environment, displaying vibrant colours and patterns. This ability helps them regulate body temperature, communicate with other lizards, and blend in with their surroundings. They can darken or lighten their skin, and display vibrant colours during courtship.
12. Corn snakes
Corn snakes are popular pets known for their docile nature and vibrant colours.
Some species exhibit colour morphs that can change or intensify as they mature. While not as dramatic as some other reptiles, corn snakes' colour patterns can adapt to their environment, helping them blend in or regulate their body temperature.
13. Boa constrictors
Boa constrictors have a remarkable ability to change colour, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. This colour change helps them hide from predators, sneak up on prey, and regulate their body temperature.
By altering the pigment in their skin, boa constrictors can adapt to their environment, making them expert hunters and difficult to spot. Their colour-changing ability is a testament to their remarkable adaptability and survival skills.
14. Flap necked chameleon
The flap-necked chameleon's distinctive neck flaps change colour independently, adding to its visual communication. Colour changes serve multiple purposes, including thermoregulation, communication, and expressing emotions.
This species shows sophisticated control over colour changes, adapting differently to predators and rivals.
15. Panther chameleon
The panther chameleon is renowned for its spectacular colour-changing abilities. Males display vibrant colours and patterns, rapidly transforming during territorial disputes or mating displays. They use colour shifts for communication, thermoregulation, and expressing emotions, rather than just camouflage. Females also change colour to signal receptiveness or stress.
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