Some lizards have the remarkable ability to change color, a trait that serves several important purposes in their daily lives. This transformation is controlled by specialized skin cells called chromatophores, which contain pigments that can expand or contract to alter the lizard’s appearance. The resulting color changes can range from subtle shifts in shade to dramatic transformations that completely redefine their look.
Color change often plays a vital role in communication. Lizards may adjust their coloration to signal aggression, dominance, or readiness to mate. In social interactions, brighter colors can attract attention or warn rivals to stay away, while duller tones can indicate submission or neutrality. These visual signals are crucial in species that rely more on sight than sound for communication.
Camouflage is another key reason for color change. By blending with their surroundings, lizards can evade predators or ambush prey more effectively. The ability to match the tones of leaves, bark, or soil provides a powerful survival advantage, especially in environments where hiding determines life or death.
Temperature regulation also influences these changes. Lizards may turn darker to absorb more heat during cool mornings or become lighter to reflect sunlight in the heat of the day. This physiological response helps them maintain an optimal body temperature without expending excess energy.
In some cases, stress or health can trigger color variation. When frightened, ill, or exposed to unfamiliar conditions, lizards may display muted or uneven tones. This makes color not just a physical characteristic but also a reflection of internal states and environmental conditions.
Lizards that Change Color
Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)
Found in: Madagascar.
Famous for its spectacular and vibrant color variations, which differ by location. Males are the most colorful, displaying patterns of red, green, blue, and orange during social displays to attract mates and intimidate rivals.
Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)
Found in: The arid regions of Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
The quintessential color-changer, they can shift from bright green to brown, yellow, or even turquoise to regulate body temperature, communicate with rivals, and express stress, not just for camouflage.
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
Found in: The southeastern United States.
Often called the “American chameleon,” this lizard is adept at changing color between various shades of brown and green to blend into its surroundings, regulate temperature, and reflect its emotional state.
Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Found in: The arid and semi-arid woodlands of central Australia.
While not as dramatic as chameleons, they exhibit noticeable color shifts. They can darken their beards and bodies to absorb more heat or display dominance, and their overall color can lighten or darken based on mood.
Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica)
Found in: The Mediterranean region, from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa to Greece.
This common gecko can appear much darker at night to aid with camouflage and heat absorption, and then become significantly paler during the day while resting on a light-colored surface.
Seychelles Sucker-tailed Gecko (Urocotyledon inexpectata)
Found in: The Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean.
A lesser-known gecko species with remarkable color-changing abilities. It can alter its pattern and color to perfectly match the bark or lichen it is resting on, making it a master of cryptic camouflage.
Cape Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus capensis)
Found in: Sub-Saharan Africa, from South Africa north to Kenya and Ethiopia.
These small geckos can change their dorsal color from a dark brown or black to a light, almost transparent gray. This change is influenced by background color, temperature, and stress levels.
Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
Found in: The Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
They change color to help manage their extreme body temperatures, turning a lighter shade to reflect sunlight and a darker shade to absorb heat.
Arabian Toad-headed Agama (Phrynocephalus arabicus)
Found in: The arid deserts of the Arabian Peninsula.
This small lizard can rapidly change its color pattern. Males display dramatic black and white patterns on their tail and underside during territorial and courtship displays.
Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor)
Found in: A wide range across South and Southeast Asia.
Also known as the Changeable Lizard, males can undergo a dramatic color change, particularly during the breeding season, when their heads and sometimes entire bodies turn a bright orange or red to attract females and challenge rivals.
Jackson’s Chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii)
Found in: The montane forests of Kenya and Tanzania, and introduced to Hawaii.
Known for its three horns, this chameleon can shift from bright green to various shades of brown, yellow, and even blue. These changes are used for communication, camouflage in its forest habitat, and thermoregulation.
Madagascar Day Gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis)
Found in: The eastern coastal forests and plantations of Madagascar.
While their vibrant green coloration is fairly constant, these geckos can exhibit color changes. They may develop dark spots or their green can become more intense or dull based on factors like stress, health, and environmental conditions.
Jewelled Chameleon (Furcifer campani)
Found in: The central highlands of Madagascar.
This small, critically endangered chameleon is a master of disguise. It can display a remarkable pattern of red, green, and white spots to perfectly blend in with the lichen-covered rocks and low vegetation of its mountainous habitat.
Namaqua Chameleon (Chamaeleo namaquensis)
Found in: The arid, sandy deserts of Namibia and southern Angola.
One of the largest chameleons in Africa, it specializes in surviving the desert. It changes color primarily for thermoregulation, turning black in the cool morning to absorb heat and a much lighter grey or white to reflect the intense midday sun.
Peninsular Rock Agama (Psammophilus dorsalis)
Found in: The rocky hills of southern India.
The males of this species are spectacular color-changers. While typically brown and camouflaged, they can rapidly flash vibrant hues of yellow, red, and black on their dorsal side during territorial displays and courtship rituals.
Common Flat Lizard (Platysaurus intermedius)
Found in: The rocky outcrops (kopjes) of southeastern Africa.
Males are highly territorial and use color for communication. They display iridescent blue, green, red, and yellow patterns to attract females. Their colors can become more or less intense based on their dominance status and level of aggression.