What do chameleons different colors mean? like does green mean happy and content, and what do other colors mean.

1) "Many people think chameleons change color to blend in with their surroundings. Scientists disagree. Their studies show that light, temperature, and mood cause chameleons to change color. Sometimes changing color can make the chameleon more comfortable. Sometimes it helps the animal communicate with other chameleons.

Light: Say a brown chameleon decides to rest in the sun. The chameleon's brain may tell the yellow cells in its skin to become larger than the blue cells below. Suddenly the chameleon turns green. This lighter color helps the skin reflect bright sunlight.

Temperature: If a chameleon is cold, it might turn a darker color. Why? Because darker colors absorb more heat than light ones.

Mood: Mood probably causes most color changes. For example, if a panther chameleon gets angry, red and yellow replace its normal color. A chemical called melanin rises toward the skin's surface, causing areas of the skin to darken. The animal's new look tells other chameleons, "I'm ready to fight!"

When a male wants to attract a female, he will wear his most flashy colors, as if to say, "Hey baby, want to hang out?" One type of male chameleon will change from brown to purple and light blue. His eyelids may even turn yellow with green spots. What female chameleon wouldn't fall for such a handsome guy?"
Source and further information:
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0210/articles/mainarticle.html


2) "Various colors and patterns encode different messages. Brighter male colors show off dominance and, this way, a male attracts a female, or defends its territory by flashing bright coloration. Submission or surrender is signaled by drab browns and grays. A female's color signals mating status, willingness or pregnancy state.

Temperature influences the color as well. In the cool mornings, chameleons warm up at the sun, taking a black coat that adsorbs the sun heat easier, besides flattening their flanks. During the night, the chameleons turn whitish, whereas in strong light, they turn brownish. At 25 degrees C, they take on a green color, while at 10 degrees C, their color turns into gray.

If a leaf is put on the back of a chameleon and removed after a period, it will leave a color mark on its back, following its shape, due to the shifts in light and temperature."
Source and further information:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Why-Do-Chameleons-Change-Their-Colors-It-039-s-About-Sex-and-Social-Life-77404.shtml

black and dark colors suggest aggression as in seeing another chameleon in it's territory. Put a mirror in front of the chameleon to elicit this reaction.

yellow means scare,,,,,,,,, m i right

that is so wrong what the person before me said.
they change colour because of their mood, health, light and temperature.
i dont no what different colours mean tbh
:)

thy dont usually blend to there backround only as como wen feeling threatend
green is good
reds and yellows are grumpy
blacky browns are hostile

When Chameleons are cold they turn black to absorb as much as heat they can.
Chameleons turn white when there too warm to expel more heat faster.
The reason Chameleons are green most of the time is because there born in the forist,and they need to catch their food so they mach leaves.

chemelion change color to thier mode and weather not to its enviroment rollie is a handycap , green mean calm, white and orange mean exited and happy and or posably horny, blue mean pissed off , and if they turn black stay far back