Page 110 - For Men of Understanding

A MASTER HUNTER: CHAMELEON

Tongue

The chameleon's tongue is kept collapsed within its
mouth like an accordion. In the middle of its tongue is
a sharp-ended cartilage. When the circular muscles at
the tip of its tongue contract, the tongue shoots out.
The animal's tongue is covered with a mucous-like
viscous liquid. When it approaches close enough to its
prey, it opens its mouth and rapidly hurls its tongue
towards its victim. The viscous tongue, owing to the
intertwining muscles, reaches as far as 1.5 times the
length of the chameleon. The time for the tongue to
retrieve the prey and retract is only 0.1 seconds.

Camouflage
The chameleon is certainly the first animal that comes
to the mind when camouflage is raised. The chameleon
changes its colour according to the ground on which it
stands. To the left can be seen the mark made on the
coat of the chameleon by the fern left on its back. Light
and temperature changes are considered to have a role
in the reactions that cause this mark. Yet, the animal is
not even aware of its advantageous skill in changing
colours. Its body is originally created to automatically
match the colours of its surroundings.

108 For Men of Understanding