Wildlife
NOW YOU SEE ME... Now you don’t! Jake Cleaver shares some interesting information about the Algarve’s ground lions from his visit to the Vita Nativa association in Olhão. Chameleon’s are fascinating and the more you know about them the more amazing they become!
Y
ou don’t often notice the almost magical creatures that are: The Chameleons (which is hardly surprising, what with their reputation as the masters of camouflage) until you are swerving wildly to avoid them as they cross the road - in what has to be said to be the slowest way possible. One step forward, two steps back. They are almost Moonwalking! “Billy Jean is not their lover, she’s just a girl” that would probably run them over. But these proud Kings of Leon are amongst us, and with their 360 degree view they are probably watching you - with one eye at least. But I realized I didn’t know too much about them. And so, back in February, when I saw an event on Facebook called “Conheces o Camaleão?”, and realised I didn’t. Certainly not as much as I would like to. It sounded too good an opportunity to pass up. The event was in the Ecoteca de Olhão. Which turns out to be a beautiful building next to the Campsite just outside of Olhão. It’s the restored residence and grounds of the poet João Lucio, and it’s got a free museum and exhibits of his life. It even has a stairway that looks like a guitar, and a vegetable patch. It was worth coming already. I followed the Chameleon signs and waited. A few people turned up, but mainly it was a class of 6 year olds that came. A lovely Lady with the best T-shirt of a dragonfly - which turns out to be the logo of the association Vita Nativa (that hosted the event) arrived. And we all went inside to learn more about our Algarvian Ground Lions.
22
That’s really where their name comes from. In Greek Khamaí means Ground, and Leon/Lion. Gosh, here I go already. But here’s some more things I found out: Chameleons change colour to match their surroundings, yes. But only if the colour is in the reptiles repertoire. There’s a rumour that if you put them on something red they would explode. This isn’t true, apparently. But the fact that we can say that with such confidence, makes me wonder about us human beings. But they also change colour depending on how they feel. Which makes Chameleons the most honest creatures in the world. I knew I liked them! But really. Imagine that. Imagine if humans were like that. And we all had to show our true colours, so to speak. I think it could lead to some awkward situations. A Chameleon actually changes colour completely if they see somebody in the park they don’t like. Their Aunt knows if they dont love the Christmas present she got them. And good luck denying they ate the last cricket in the cricket tin. Because that’s the thing, as you might imagine, they normally turn much bolder, brighter colours when they are feeling good. Their girlfriend is in town. It’s a nice day. A new plague of locusts is on the swarm. And more darker colours when things aren’t going so well. That’s why if you pick them up (which you really shouldn’t do unless you absolutely have to) they will start to dim. If they get hurt. For example: scratched by a cat, which are one of their worst enemies (Cats, the newly arrived European
July 2020
