JavaScript

This website requires the use of Javascript Explain This   to function correctly. Performance and usage will suffer if it remains disabled.
Where Is God’s Church Today?
Photo of a CongregationNew York, USA Photo of a CongregationJamaica Photo of a CongregationPeru Photo of a CongregationIdaho, USA Photo of a CongregationIndia Photo of a CongregationBelgium Photo of a CongregationKenya Photo of a CongregationArkansas, USA Photo of a CongregationSouth Africa Photo of a CongregationEngland Photo of a CongregationNigeria Photo of a CongregationOhio, USA

Jesus said, “I will build My Church…†There is a single organization that teaches the entire truth of the Bible, and is called to live by “every word of God.†Do you know how to find it? Christ said it would:

  • Teach “all things†He commanded
  • Have called out members set apart by truth
  • Be a “little flockâ€
God’s Amazing Creation

Don’t Call Me Green!

Zygodactylous! Prehensile! Monocular! Chromatophoric! These words all apply to the chameleon—that twitchy, color-changing reptile. The scientific terms help define its feet, tail, eyes and skin respectively.

Yet there is one term you should not use to describe this cold-blooded creature: green.

There is technically no green pigment in these reptiles, even though most of them appear that color when they are calm. In fact, scientists just recently learned exactly how chameleons change color.

For years, researchers knew that most chameleons had red and yellow pigment in the first few layers of their skin (there are also more muted brown species). Underneath, they also have a darker pigment called melanin.

Yet scientists thought the lizards used chromatophores—tiny color-filled sacs of skin that expand and contract—to change to red, yellow, blue, etc. This is how squids, octopuses and cuttlefish camouflage themselves. Chameleons can turn darker using chromatophores of melanin, but they do something unique to turn other colors.

In 2015, physicists and biologists collaborating at the University of Geneva learned that underneath the layers of skin, chameleons have many tiny crystals that reflect light. By adjusting how far apart these nanocrystals are, the lizard can change what light is reflected back. If the creature tunes the crystals to reflect blue light, that color mixes with yellow pigment to look green. As the gaps between crystals increase, they reflect longer wavelengths of light: all the way from blue to red.

Note that a chameleon cannot completely change color to blend in with its surroundings. Many incorrectly think that if the lizard were on a purple surface, it would match what is around them. In truth, the reptiles will turn lighter or darker shades of green or brown when predators are around, but they only use their brighter colors when they are excited—such as near a mate or rival.

There are about 180 species of chameleons. Most live in Madagascar, while others are in southern Asia, India, Spain and in Sub-Saharan Africa—one ground-dwelling species even lives in the Namib Desert.

The largest species is the Parson’s chameleon, which averages about 28 inches long and can weigh up to two pounds. The other side of the spectrum is the smallest vertebrate on Earth: Brookesia micra, which averages just an inch in length. That means it has eyes, a brain, lungs, a heart and every other organ fit into a miniscule package!

 

Similar to parrots, the lizard’s feet have a zygodactylous pattern, which means it has multiple toes pointing in opposite directions to better grip tree branches. Chameleons have three pointing one way and two the other.

Photo: Getty Images

 

Capable of reaching speeds of 60 mph and stretching up to 1 1/2 times body length, chameleon tongues are used to snatch prey. The club-shaped tip is covered with sticky saliva and an abrasive surface to grip food.

Photo: Getty Images

 

Its bugged-out eyes, which look like they are mounted on turrets, can look in two directions simultaneously. Scientists believe chameleon brains constantly and quickly receive alternating signals from one eye at a time.

Photo: Getty Images

 

Source: The Restored Church of God