Lizard Species That Change Colors

Chameleons

• The chameleon is native to Africa, Asia, Madagascar, and southern Europe, where it dwells in savannas, rain forests and in climates that are semidesert. According to the San Diego Zoo, chameleons change color in order to express fear or aggression. This also occurs in response to fluctuations in temperature, humidity or light. Their use of color communicates among male lizards as well. Color change happens due to the four layers of skin chameleons have, allowing them to reflect a wide variety of colors, including yellow, blue and white.

Anoles

• Several types of anoles are kept as pets, but only the green anole is native to the United States, where it lives in southeastern regions such as Florida. Anoles have more limited color-changing abilities than chameleons, going from green to dark brown. Such changes indicate stress levels; if an anole is dark brown, it is stressed. Often they are brown during the day but return to green at night, when there is less stress stimulation with the dark.

Bearded Dragons

• Bearded dragons are native to Australia. Although most tend to be grey, other color varieties are also available, such as brown, black, orange and fawn. Bearded dragons change color in response to stress and environmental changes, with markings becoming more prominent when the animals are startled or aggressive. In cool weather, they become darker.

Iguana

• The iguana family is very large with a wide range of colors, including green, brown, blue, red, white and grey. Most species are native to South America, Central America and Latin America, although they live in a wide variety of climates and regions, from tropical rainforests to deserts. Iguanas change colors as they age. Young lizards are always born bright green, and as they mature, their true colors emerge. Iguanas also change color in response to stress or temperature changes. The blue iguana is a vibrant turquoise under favorable temperatures, but becomes green when stressed or too cold.