The Life of a Namaqua Chameleon
In The Life of a Namaqua Chameleon, narrator Sir David Attenborough follows a determined Namaqua chameleon as it leaves tiny footprints in the sand as it treks along the desert. Its hunt for food is a game of patience — waiting for beetles to seek shade before striking with its lightning-fast tongue. Life here is tough, and even finding a mate comes with challenges, but this remarkable chameleon shows how to thrive in one of the harshest places on Earth. This video is excerpted from BBC's Life, a show that explores the remarkable strategies animals and plants use to ensure their survival.
Lesson Express
Q: How does the desert environment influence the physical adaptations and behaviors of the Namaqua chameleon?
A: The lack of trees and extreme temperatures force the chameleon to develop adaptations like spreading its feet to move on sand, changing colors for heat regulation, and implementing strategic hunting techniques.
Q: How does the Namaqua chameleon's ability to change the color of its body help it survive in the harsh desert environment?
A: The chameleon changes the color of one side of its body to darken and absorb heat from the Sun, while the other side remains light to prevent overheating. This adaptation helps it regulate its body temperature in extreme desert conditions.
Q: Why might male Namaqua chameleons be more aggressive during mating, and how does this behavior affect the female?
A: Male Namaqua chameleons are more aggressive because mates are scarce in the desert. This behavior can make the interaction stressful for the female, who must navigate these intense encounters in order to reproduce.