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American Chameleon — Part 2
In describing these colour changes it is appropriate to correct a widespread and incorrect idea; this is to the effect that the change of colour is influenced by the shade of the object on which the reptile rests. There is no relationship or influence between the lizard's colours, and its surroundings. A brilliant green individual may often be seen resting upon, a weather-stained fence rail, or a dark brown specimen hopping from one green leaf to another. The writer remembers an enterprising dealer who exhibited a number of these reptiles in a glass-fronted cage; the back of the cage was divided into four squares of vivid colour--yellow, red, green and blue. Continually annoyed by curious observers the lizards showed the brightest shades of green, but inconsistent with the dealer's idea, for they huddled together on the square of vermilion which was situated in the most secluded corner of the case.
The change of colour is brought about principally through temperature and light and their influences on the creature's activity; also by anger, fear and sleep. The most repeatedly observed colour is the green of the sleeping reptile. When poorly fed and in an enervated condition the skin shows dark spots and blotches. At death, the body is usually green, with scattered patches of black.
The males are provided with a peculiar throat pouch. This may be expanded at will, to the accompaniment of an emphatic nodding of the head. At best but an ornament and perfectly flat when extended, it is exhibited during times of love-making or previous to combats--and vicious indeed are the fights between rival males for an exceptionally desirable stretch of fence-rail; the fight is called off with the loss of a tail on one side or the other; with his writhing souvenir, the victor struts about for some time, repeatedly nodding his head and dilating the throat fan while his body glows in a resplendent tint of emerald.
Strictly diurnal, the "Chameleon" appears with the rising of the sun, from where it has been sleeping; the resting place is generally a horizontal twig, well hidden among the leaves. The morning prowl is prompted by a hungry stomach. A large and tempting fly is stalked in the same fashion as a cat does a bird. Slinking forward, with body close to the bough, the lizard nears the victim, then quivers for the rush; there is a dash, with open jaws, and the prey is caught. Before the fly is swallowed the sharp little teeth are employed to masticate it. The Anolis confines its food entirely to insects. It will not eat earthworms. nor will the majority of small lizards.
In captivity the "Chameleon" makes a pretty and amusing pet, soon learning to take food from one's fingers. Mealworms and flies are the favorite food; it will also take roaches. The sugar and water diet so often imposed upon these reptiles by kindly-intentioned but misinformed people, is only taken by the lizard to quench a killing thirst, for these little animals drink much and if deprived of water will rapidly weaken and die. Their method of drinking is to lap the drops of dew from vegetation. The quarters of captive lizards should be sprinkled daily that the reptiles may drink in this manner; they do not readily find a dish of water.
While it is agile and favoured by the adhesive foot pads that enable it to run over smooth surfaces, at various angles, this lizard is not nearly so difficult to capture, if a little strategy is employed, as the swifts (Sceloporus) or the race-runners (Cnemi-dophorus). Compared with those lacertilians, its gait is very tardy.
Large Species That May be Recognised by Their Fine Scalation and Spine-like Crest
THE true Iguanas are represented in North America by two species that barely come within the limits of this work. One inhabits Lower California; the other extends northward from Mexico into southern Arizona.
Distribution of the Iguanas.--The large and powerful lizards, comprising several genera and known collectively as Iguanas, occur in tropical South America, Central America, Mexico and the West Indies.
Cyclura and Metopoceros are restricted to the West Indies; Conolophus and Amblyrhynchus occur in the Galapagos Islands; the species of Ctenosaura inhabit Central America, Mexico and the extreme southwestern portion of the United States. The genus Iguana has the most extensive distribution, ranging from Mexico into Brazil.
General Structure.--Most of the species are of very large size--some growing to a length of six feet. The body is heavily built, the head is large and blunt, with powerful jaws, and the tail is long. Most characteristic is the scalation of the body. The scales are minute, but upon the back is a crest of large, flat spines.