[bright music] - [Narrator] There are more than 200 species of chameleons worldwide and they come in a wide range of colors.

However, all these lizards share some very important characteristics and features that make them unique and well adapted for tree living.

[bright music] Look at this Miller's chameleon in the reptile and amphibian house.

What do you notice about the way Chameleons move and interact with their habitat?

These lizards are adapted for climbing, and their feet look just like a parrot's.

It's called zygodactylus and it means that they have toes facing forward and toes facing back.

This arrangement is common in species that climb tree trunks and clamber through foliage.

They have a better grip on the vines and branches they cling to.

Chameleons can also move their eyes separately.

This adaptation allows the chameleon to see two different objects at the same time.

It also gives them a full 360 degree view of their surroundings.

This is helpful for watching for predators as well as finding food.

[bright music] Look at its long, rapidly movable tongue.

Chameleons have special tongues that consist of highly modified bones, muscles and collagen.

They can project their tongues to reach prey in as little as 0.07 seconds.

That's less than one second!

They have a quick recoil as well.

If you've ever stretched a rubber band and let it snap back, that is a similar elastic recoil mechanism to how their tongue works.

They also have curly, prehensile tails that are like an extra hand to help them hold on and balance as they navigate through the trees.

[bright music] Chameleons are well known for their color changing ability.

They do this by changing how light is reflected off special crystals layered in their skin.

Color change helps with camouflage, but is used more for communicating with other chameleons.

They can also change color temperature in other environmental conditions.

Chameleons tend to show brighter colors when displaying aggression towards other chameleons and darker colors when they submit or give up.

For our keepers, a chameleon's color is a good indicator of their overall health and wellbeing.

[bright music] [cheerful music] [cheerful music continues] - It is so neat to see how different animals have different adaptations to help them in action.

This is my friend Denver and Denver's a blue and gold Macau.

[cheerful music continues] In his rainforest home Denver has a ton of adaptations that help him move around.

First he has these magnificent wings, good bird, that help him fly up over the treetops.

Once he's in and around the trees though, those wings make it difficult for him to move about.

So instead, Denver will use his toes to perch and his beak like a hand to help him climb.

Just like the chameleon we saw earlier, Denver is zygodactylic.

Good job, Denver.

Meaning he has two toes facing forward and two facing backwards, perfect for climbing around the trees.

In fact, when he's not flying, climbing's his favorite way to get around.

[cheerful music continues] a Macau's beak and tongue are also special.

Their beak is so strong that they can bite through and crush some of their favorite foods, Brazil nuts.

Brazil nuts come in a big pod similar to a coconut and just as strong.

But with that beak, Denver can tear through them to get to the nut inside.

[cheerful music continues] Once he's gotten to the nut, he uses his tongue like we'd use our finger.

In fact, his tongue has a bone in it, making it work in exactly the same way.

[cheerful music continues] [cheerful music continues] If you could have any combination of adaptations we've talked about today for a single day, what would you choose and why?