Language chameleon accelerates to 100km / h in hundredth of a second
Results of the study of small chameleons were published in the edition of Scientific Reports. It turned out that the language of these creatures are not only super-fast, but also able to withstand the overload in the 260 free-fall acceleration. Moreover, its length is approximately 2.5 times the length of the body of a chameleon. Language is needed in order to catch potential prey.
According to the scientist, Christopher Anderson (Christopher Anderson), representing Brown University in Providence, the results of previous studies were not entirely accurate. "In the past, our colleagues measured the force and speed of the language at large chameleons, because of what they were getting pretty modest rates", - he said. Now the researchers' attention was directed at a much smaller species, such as Rhampholeon spinosus. High-speed camera has been used: with the help of experts watched like a chameleon catching crickets. This camera is able to shoot every second to three thousand personnel.
Interestingly, the rate of language depended on the size of the animal. The smallest chameleon appeared as champions in the rate of "building". Thus, the acceleration that produces tongue Rhampholeon spinosus, about five times that of the representatives of Furcifer oustaleti - much larger creatures. In terms of the evolution of this phenomenon can be explained by the fact that, unlike larger chameleons, the smallest of them have no room for error when attacking the victim.
But what is the secret to nimble tongue of a chameleon? The thing is that before "shot" the authority specifically "charged" with energy, allowing it to be extremely fast. Thus, activation of the tongue muscles occurs until use. To help in this case, come special elastic fabric.
View Rhampholeon spinosus belong to the genus Rhampholeon or African dwarf chameleons. Altogether there are fourteen species, these creatures live in tropical Africa. Externally, they are very similar to brookesia - small chameleon, with a short, slightly curved tail.
Previously, we recall, another group of researchers came to the conclusion that the chameleon eyes run separately. Prior to that vision of animals considered chaotic. Now, as it turned out, the eyes are controlled by the two hemispheres of the brain and has a very fine tuning of tracking potential victims.
