But they did not seem to want to touch it or to do it direct harm. The reaction people have to chameleons has remained one of the mysteries of Togo for me.
Chameleons live throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. There are many species of of chameleon, and some types may be better adapted for certain regions. They particularly like rainforest areas.
Chameleons use a clever trick of camouflage, which is variable coloration by chromatophores. Variable coloration by chromatophores is a technique that allows an animal to change its skin or color to match its environment. Chromatophores are cells that are full of a particular pigment or color. The cell can get bigger or smaller, thereby showing more or less of a particular color. Octopi and some other cephalopods are able to do this camouflage trick as well!
Some chameleons are at risk of extinction. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, 38% of chameleon species are threatened with extinction. Overall, 18% of reptile species are at risk of extinction. Like many creatures, chameleons are losing their habitats due to climate change, deforestation and the use of chemical agricultural products.
Now that I have learned about different beliefs that people in West Africa have about chameleons, I wonder how we could combine spiritual practices with conservation practices to protect chameleons. What do you think?
