Question

A lizard-like member of Reptilia is sitting on a tree with it's tail coiled around a twig. This animal could be
A. Hemidactylus showing sexual dimorphism
B. Varanus showing mimicry
C. Garden lizard(Calotes) showing camouflage
D. Chameleon showing protective colouration

Answer 1

Hint: Chameleons mask themselves in a variation of various ways but most famously by altering the colour as well as the pattern of their skin. Most chameleons can remake their body colour and they do this by expanding or contracting cells in their skin that include several pigments. They can mix into their surroundings by changing the colour of their skin to fit the background. Chamaeleon (girgit) shows defensive colouration with its surrounding e.g. known as twig.

Complete Answer:
Chameleons for chameleons this term is used for family Chamaeleonidae are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of Old World lizards with 202 species described. These lineages come in a range of colors, and many categories have the ability to change their body color. Chameleons are differentiated by their zygodactylous feet; their very substantial, not highly modified, rapidly extricable tongues; their swaying gait; as well as crests or horns on their brow and snout.
Option – A: Hemidactylus showing sexual dimorphism – Is not the right Answer to the given question as the valid answer is Chameleons.
Option – B: Varanus showing mimicry – Is not the accurate answer to the above given question as it does not have the ability to mix with its environment.
Option – C: Garden lizard(Calotes) showing camouflage – Garden Lizards are not the perfect answer to the question mentioned above.
Option – D: Chameleon showing protective colouration – This option is the correct answer to the question as Chameleons can change their skin colour to mix with their surroundings.

Therefore, the correct answer to the above mentioned question is option D “Chameleon showing protective colouration”.

Note: Colour modification in chameleons has functions in camouflage, but most generally in a social signalling as well as in outcomes to temperature and other circumstances.