Nature's Mood Rings: How Chameleons Really Change Color | Deep Look

Chameleons don't change color to match their environment; it’s just the opposite. How do they do it? By manipulating tiny crystals in their skin. Now, UC Berkeley researchers are on a quest to create synthetic chameleon skin inspired by these reptiles’ uncanny ability.
DEEP LOOK: a new ultra-HD (4K) short video series created by KQED San Francisco and presented by PBS Digital Studios. See the unseen at the very edge of our visible world. Get a new perspective on our place in the universe and meet extraordinary new friends. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.
--- How do Chameleons Change Color?
Chameleons are some of the most brilliantly colored animals on the planet. But how did they evolve the ability to change color?
Scientists used to believe that chameleons changed color by spreading out pigments in their skin, much like octopuses or squid do.
The top layer of chameleon skin - called the epidermis - contains yellow pigment cells called xanthophores, and red pigment cells called erythrophores. But the amount of pigment in the cells stays the same, even when the chameleon changes color.
Just beneath the chameleon’s skin is a layer of cells called iridophores. These cells contain microscopic salt crystals, which are arranged in a three-dimensional pattern like oranges stacked on a fruit stand.
When light hits the crystals, some wavelengths are absorbed and some are reflected. The result, to our eyes, is the beautiful rainbow of colors on the chameleon’s skin. But what we’re actually seeing is light that is bouncing off of these tiny crystals. What we perceive as green, for example, is blue wavelengths of light being reflected off the crystals and through the layer of yellow xanthophore cells in the chameleon’s epidermis. The result is bright green skin that contains no green pigment!
The process of changing color is called metachrosis.
--- Why do Chameleons Change Color?
Chameleons don’t change color to match their environment. In fact, it’s just the opposite.
Their baseline is camouflage.
When chameleons are relaxed, they’re mostly green. They naturally blend into their home in the forest canopy. They even mimic leaves by dancing around a little.
But when they feel threatened, annoyed, or just want to show a little swagger, that’s when their color changes.
Scientists once thought that chameleons color-changing abilities allowed them to better camouflage themselves. Most species of chameleons live high in the forest canopy and their various shades of green provide natural camouflage. Even their movement provides camouflage - they dance around to mimic leaves blowing in the wind.
In fact, chameleons change color primarily to communicate with each other, as though they were living mood rings. Males will warn each other about their territory and females will change color to let males know whether they’re interested in breeding.
Chameleons also have a second layer of iridiophore cells just beneath the first. The crystals in that layer are larger and reflect light waves in the infrared wavelengths. This suggests that chameleons are also changing colors to regulate their temperature, according to Milinkovitch. Chameleons are cold-blooded and heat their bodies with the warmth of the sun.
Read the article for this video on KQED Science:
ww2.kqed.org/sc...
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• What Happens When You ...
Pygmy Seahorses: Masters of Camouflage
• Pygmy Seahorses: Maste...
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--- Other Great Science Videos About Chameleons
How Do Chameleons Change Color? - Veritasium
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True Facts About The Chameleon - zefrank1
• True Facts About The C...
--- More KQED SCIENCE:
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KQED Science: ww2.kqed.org/sc...
Funding for Deep Look is provided in part by PBS Digital Studios and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Deep Look is a project of KQED Science, which is supported by HopeLab, The David B. Gold Foundation; S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation; The Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation; The Vadasz Family Foundation; Smart Family Foundation and the members of KQED.
#deeplook

[@cordilleraproduction]

Hi! My name is Jason Jaacks and I produced this episode of Deep Look. I couldn't believe that Dr. Connie Chang-Hasnain at UC Berkeley had developed a way to make synthetic chameleon skin -- what incredible animals to be inspired by. Leave any questions you have in the comments and thanks for watching!

[@alpactra1830]

If chameleons where hyper intelligent (human level intelligence) do you think they would change their skin to camouflage or it would stay the same (changing color to express emotion)

[@YRO.]

@@alpactra1830 That's a great question

[@firegator6853]

@@alpactra1830 If chameleons in a hypothetical world made a civilization I just imagine them using the colors to communicate just like we talk

[@bevgordon7619]

What do you see as an application(s) if you can create “mood-skin”?? I can see three possibilities - military camo, art installation, architecture, and/or fashion industry.

[@codiserville593]

I like how you had the humbleness and wisdom to say "We are still learning and not always right"

[@sheer9203]

Codi Serville I know right

[@emillyc9155]

Binge watching all of your videos, it's so short yet fun and informative! We totally need more of these!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Awesome! Welcome to our channel!

[@SugarJones723]

Dude same I just started binging today 🤣

[@braincraft]

Your amazing cinematography continues to amaze! This looks unreal in 4K. Great video!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+BrainCraft Thanks, Vanessa! I'd love to see a Brain Craft about how various approaches to camouflage in nature trick the brain.

[@alex-ip1er]

There are a few components to keeping chameleons healthy . One resource I found which successfully combines these is the Chameleon Hasty Hacks (check it out on google) without a doubt the most helpful resource that I've seen. look at all the incredible info .

[@TheShapingSickness]

I've always loved Chameleons, they're so unique!

[@dashh3010]

I have one, he's just a sweet pea tbh The fun thing is that chameleons can hold on to anything with their hands, so I hand him props from miniature boardgames, like axes and swords. To my great surprise, he shows off the weapons with an 'old man smile' lol ❤ ♥

[@Shadamyfan-rs8xc]

@@dashh3010 aww 🥰

[@Shadamyfan-rs8xc]

One of my fave sonic characters is Espio the chameleon

[@philidor9657]

I could listen to you talk all day

[@guivecchi]

I don't usually comment on KZbin videos, but your videos are so awesome that I have to say a "thank you" every time I watch one of them! Then... Thank you for another amazing video, I'm impressed with the quality! Cheers from Brazil

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Guilherme Vecchi Obrigado meu amigo!

[@guivecchi]

+Deep Look hahaha de nada :D good job, again, congratulations for such an amazing channel!

[@m33pisrandom]

Keep doing what you do guys, I'm sure it won't be long before many more people notice this fantastic channel.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

m33pisrandom Thanks! We have several more videos in production, and will continue releasing twice a month (Tuesdays).

[@jeffreyyu1030]

"WHAT!? Why would you not use your colour change for camouflage? Let me get this straight, you've got the most powerful stealth ability in the game and you're using it for emotes?"

[@EveeLover]

Like she said, when green they are pretty well camouflaged

[@Roulettesplay]

I look forward to every video you guys release, please keep up the amazing work

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Roulette Thank you. You bet!

[@MShah-wg8iq]

A beautiful video, very beautifully presented :)

[@KQEDDeepLook]

M. Shah Thank you - we hope you enjoy our other videos as well.

[@cordilleraproduction]

+M. Shah - Thanks, this was such a fun shoot!

[@transientwayfarer4472]

Incredible! I love both the informative content and the meditative endings. Science and poetry are not so separate as many depict them to be!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Transient Wayfarer Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@animeaunty]

Chameleons r amazing. They have so many sophisticated adaptations on 1 organism. Tounge, eyes, skin, tail...I don't recall many others that have so many n just 1 critter.

[@sukyzheng3136]

Why chameleons are so awesome. I've always thought the same! I though chameleons spread pigment, but I can't believe it... salt? That's just simply amazing. Nature plus deep look equals heaven.

[@tomkerr8513]

I can't get enough of this series it just ceases to amaze me how great, magnificent and well researched these videos are. They never stop to make me look in another direction of life, keep up the great work.

[@tysonminecraftrobot9465]

It is so strange to think that there are colors we can't even see or imagine because such a color has never been see by human eyes its a concept that gets me thinking

[@EugiBerna]

I am just so thankful for all the first line research you’re sharing (and for the way you are sharing it)! We definitely need more -much more- channels like this!

[@vinceespada750]

wow, your vids always have vibrant colors

[@Guns003]

Could you put some scientific references in the description? Please, that could be more helpfully to spread the knowledge and students. thanks. Keep with your fantastic work guys!

[@cordilleraproduction]

+Mauricio León Espinosa Hey -- so here's the link to the iridophore research from Dr. Milinkovitch in Geneva, Switzerland (www.nature.com/ncomms/2015/150302/ncomms7368/full/ncomms7368.html) and here is an article from Science Magazine about Dr. Chang-Hasnain's synthetic chameleon skin at UC Berkeley (news.sciencemag.org/biology/2015/03/new-film-changes-colors-when-you-stretch-it). Hope this helps!

[@Guns003]

Thanks, really helpful.

[@MsJiroah]

That's so cool! It's like a kaleidoscope in some ways!

[@dolfandringa]

I really like your videos. Very informative, Amy's voice is great, awesome cinematography and story line. Really really good. Although very different from Sir David Attenborough in that he is very broad and long while yours are short and narrow, still equally high quality.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks for the compliments!

[@tonymorena404]

Response, cause and effect, is the fundamental language of consciousness. Emotion or mood shift is a chemical attack, a physical response, so for e.g. love, hate, fear is just a chemical attack. Colour is frequency, vibration range of particles determines colour effect. Without mention of sound, energy, time and unconsciousness, it is easy to explain the Response, cause and effect of the chameleon. Same explanation goes for the octopus too.

[@killjoy8097]

Nobody : Chameleons: last night took a light but that's not a bonce bacc

[@kylerae9196]

Chameleon body: I sleep Chameleon eyes: R E A L S H I T

[@159Fender159]

Chameleons got swag

[@grosslyoffensivelizard-man3438]

2:10 "You can't see me... I'm too fabulous!"

[@PushyPawn]

Their mitten hands are too cute!

[@bizmarkie9112]

I always think about how much fascinatingly cool things that science has found out about this world, and yet we've probably barely even made a dent on all what's left for us to figure out and learn. Like how many more species are out there, still around, but not yet discovered by humans? What other cool powers do animals have, similar to this chameleon's cool superpower? What ancient treasures and tombs are still waiting to be found and dug up out there? What all is waiting at the bottom of the ocean, if we were to check ALL of it? So much to learn, and what we've already learned is some pretty amazing stuff. Even some stuff that we could've never guessed or imagined. Stuff that blows our minds. Life itself is so full of wonders.

[@giorgioroncolato9625]

Looks like this chameleons want to rob a bank but police officers can’t find them they could blend in with the money🦎

[@crazedchameleonproductions2514]

I absolutely love chameleons! They are my favorite animal!

[@alvinjay6208]

Well explained.. thanks

[@viewing9684]

This was fantastic!

[@kelaipakeli]

You and Kurzgesagt... it’s amazing, and wonderful, that your content is free.

[@alvinjay6208]

What i like about cammelion, is they show us how wrong we can be about science💜💜

[@emiliomarbanjr]

"Colors that human can't see" Now that's a question for science right there.

[@commanderarcher9925]

I couldn't see what they were talking about Badum-Tss

[@anica9865]

smh

[@ВладиславГуменюк-щ1е]

Your videos are amazing. The narrative, cinematography...

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Влад Арахис Thank you so much! We appreciate it!

[@zuitues]

Beautifully presented!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Luigi Tudisco Thanks, we appreciate it. What tiny thins should we film next?

[@zuitues]

+Deep Look I think the viper atheris would make an interesting subject. To be honest, I'd like to watch a presentation about snakes (pythons or vipers) done by you!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Luigi Tudisco We have been considering a few stories on snakes. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@BlissfulMoonLapidary]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!!

[@smrtkscm]

This is 100 % amazing channel. Thanks for doing such a brilliant job!

[@Zanechr]

I like all your Vids!!! It's so educational I think I'm obsessed!!!!!

[@highspacefox]

what a fantastic video, great explanation and footage! Life is inherently wonderful and complex, this tiny little animal with skin covered in crystals, incredible!

[@WaahaidIWKY]

man i love ur voice its as though ur in peace when u explain this u must love ur job so much , the combination of ur voice and the natures beauty is just perfect i m just surprised that u dont have a lot of subscribers, i really love ur channel its a whole new level of biology here

[@Hjonkerer]

Been watching for two hours. I just can't stop.

[@johannavarner]

Guys, this turned out awesome. Bravo.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Johanna Varner Thanks, Johanna! It was a fun one.

[@usmantariq7997]

I'm glad you guys did a video on this! Thankyou so much! That's a lot of information...

[@Jacobrodcruz]

DANG!Mind blowing!

[@davidbrogan606]

Amazing videography. When I hear about colors we cannot see, I am reminded of some folks who have been to Heaven who say there are colors there that they cannot describe.

[@zeramino]

Weird, I used to have a chameleon when I was a child, and it did change color to blend with the walls it was walking on...

[@Metalbird1997]

Really interesting video, thanks!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Metalbird1997 You are welcome! What other Deep Look videos have you enjoyed? What should we film next?

[@odontopasta5304]

Who else closed a little bit their eyes when the wing of the butterfly was very bright

[@nasafoxpro5356]

I love your videos!! Now I wish that you were my science teacher. You are amazing!!!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you - so glad you love science, keep it up!

[@florianwh6407]

So if chameleons can produce colors non-observable for human eyes, what color do we see instead?

[@romerogiovanni7]

Florian Wh visible light, we're only able to see a small amount of light within the spectrum of light waves. If I remember correctly, it is between 400 nm to 760 nm that we can see. Beyond 760 is infrared, microwaves, etc. Before 400 is ultraviolet and gamma.The colors reflected are within this since we can see it.

[@Tymdek]

Well, I certainly didn't know that. Or at least how exactly the coulour change works.

[@lillian.catherine]

I'm done. This is too awesome.

[@confuzzled1302]

Okay, next time I’m doing a project I’m going to pick chameleon.

[@ellie5095]

I'm getting a chameleon after we get back from the vacations we're going on 😊 I can't wait!

[@TheDragonCat99]

So basically you’re telling me that chameleon skin could be a tasty, salty seasoning if crushed up? Duly noted.

[@oodlesofdoodle1731]

As by my profile, I love chameleons

[@pw7225]

"What I like about chameleons is that they show us how wrong be can be about science." Not sure this sentence makes sense. If we make mistakes in science, we are not wrong ABOUT science. We made a mistake in following the scientific process. We were not wrong ABOUT science.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Excellent point. Thank you!

[@spindrifted9610]

So chameleons are salty? They seem way saltier than I imagined.

[@seas.963]

I'm glad to find this awesome channel! Keep up the good work!

[@genroynoisis6980]

You're not hallucinating. That's just chameleon skin.

[@kerrymccarthy4226]

This is by far the best video, my favorite !!

[@SunScourge]

Who even needs aliens?

[@kerrymccarthy4226]

Thank you , VERY good video !!

[@leoncergaming7745]

Imagine a cross between a chamelion and a human!

[@Akaryusan]

so chameleons are salty? no wonder theyre so grumpy looking.

[@crybabyfanmaster4404]

Love it! I love those animals and lizards:)))

[@W.E.N.D.I.G.O]

The same is with the bat,they are said to have echo location but not a single species has this ability they rely heavily on sight and smell.or am I wrong?

[@cordilleraproduction]

+SpidearPlays That's a good question! I don't know of any prey species that have echolocation...maybe there could be a Deep Look about that?

[@thespiciestboi4209]

So does that mean that if several layers of salt were to be applied to human skin could we also be able to change our colors

[@Hoopsystembball]

Pause exactly at 0:40 That face is hilarious!!

[@sealab7030]

Did anyone else realize the panther chameleon's pupil kept getting bigger and smaller? Don't think that's regular behavior...

[@thatweirdartist9852]

Jacksepticeye (after watching one episode of deep look): *SCIENCE ACTIVATE!!!!!!*

[@phenomenalphysics3548]

Veritasium made the same video I love both of your videos😍❤️

[@that_feng_player2258]

Really good and helpful channel subscribed

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Welcome! Thanks for subscribing!

[@ezraross6792]

I got an ad for deep look before watching this video

[@MikaelMurstam]

Mirasol is a screen technology that mimics the butterfly wing so called structured colors. =)

[@reebi1031]

Beautiful 🙌

[@brandongaines1731]

This synthetic chameleon skin could be used in E-readers to recreate color images without a backlit screen :-D

[@JBGecko13yt]

suggestion, do a piece on the Tokay Gecko, it changes color at night, is said to dislike humans and is running rampant in Florida. Also its the most awesome of the reptile kingdom.

[@diablothebearded-dragon824]

no it isnt

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks for the idea!

[@enzoyusingco6516]

I like your videos 😍😍 I'm from the Philippines 🇵🇭

[@kevinflynn4591]

Can you do a video on ticks or horseflies

[@alvatie7363]

I'm from Indonesia.. bagaimana caranya agar bisa membuat video dan pemaparan informasi yang begitu mengagumkan seperti ini..? good job ! cobalah untuk menjelaskan tentang "cacing - cacing (worm)" yang ada di daging babi (pig) .. dan bagaimana efeknya terhadap kesehatan tubuh jika itu dikonsumsi.. thank you..

[@rochelimit55555]

High quality material

[@omscreenart7655]

Video is nice🤗

[@TimothyWhiteheadzm]

The video is incorrect about colour changes not being about camouflage. Chameleons change colour both for camouflage and other purposes such as communication and to scare off predators. I grew up with chameleons in the garden and they can match the shade of green of a particular tree or bush, or even change to grey when on bark or on the ground and when you hold them on your hand they try very hard to match human skin colour.

[@micanikko]

Its so fascinating. Colors that the human mind can't comprehend/colors eyes cannot see. I guess that's what it feels like to be born blind. Colors are a true mystery to you.Now I can understand lol.

[@icedragonair]

I see your structural color and raise you 4D STRUCTURAL COLOR!

[@UWU-xq3of]

Woah, I actually never knew this.

[@xXxRainfallsxXx]

Is this pure awesome in 4K

[@FxPrawisuda]

At 1:47 you say that contracting crystal reflects red color. But in Veritasium version, the contracting crystal reflects blue color. Which one is correct? I confuse. Please correct my incorrect grammar if there is any. Thanks

[@juanpablomina1346]

I don't see the part where they say that contracting produces red. They don't really say which colors happen, I think. And _in the Veritasium version_ and _I'm confused_. I'm sure about those, but my English is far from perfect as well, so I don't know if there are more mistakes :)

[@ytrealityy]

i saw this video in my writing test

[@JoeKickass324]

Chameleon wallet

[@Rusmix]

excelent video quality, subscribe

[@DaaaahWhoosh]

Something about all this small stuff keeps making me wonder if humans have been able to reproduce it for anything. Like, I'm wondering now how possible it would be to make color-changing materials using technology like these chameleons have. It just seems like if evolution can come up with something so complex and beautiful, we should be able to steal it pretty easily.

[@10uRization]

DaaaahWhoosh pretty easily, huh? That’s where you’re wrong, kiddo.

[@enopeeb]

Onur care to explain how he is wrong? "Kiddo"

[@TripleTowerStudios]

Evolution has had millions of years to come up with this kind of stuff. Humanity needs some time to catch up.

[@LukeHenderson123]

That one dislike is a Chameleon.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Christian Galesias Ha, love it!

[@oliverbrown8242]

Good video

[@isabellagodde4935]

I have seen a bunch of this footage on another video...

[@tomlennox6752]

Great videos I'm hooked

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Tom Lennox So glad to hear it. Tell your friends!