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Chameleons

Chameleons
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 3 to 6
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   8.79

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    coiled, residence, southeastern, species, surrounding, unsuspecting, lies, layer, environment, various, ideal, leaf-like, lifestyle, theory, outfit, aside
     content words:    Sahara Desert, Middle East, Sri Lanka

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Other Languages
     Spanish: Los Camaleones

Chameleons   
1     When mentioning chameleons, the first thing that comes to mind is probably their expertise in camouflage. Indeed, it is widely believed that chameleons can change their colors in accordance with the environment they are in. Yet, if we put this theory to test, we would be disappointed. It turns out that chameleons do not adjust their colors to blend in with the surrounding. Rather, lights, temperatures, and their emotions are the three determining factors for chameleons to put on an outfit of a different color.
 
2     For example, when a chameleon feels cold and wants to warm up, it becomes darker. And, if it is in a good mood, it turns lighter. The secret behind its color alternation lies in its skin.
 
3     Chameleons have four layers of skin. From the outermost to the innermost, the four layers are the epidermis, the chromatophore, the melanophore, and the nether. The protective epidermis layer is transparent. The chromatophore layer concocts yellow and red. The melanophore layer's dark pigment "melanin" creates brown, black, and blue. The nether layer reflects white. Through their nervous system, chameleons expand or contract these pigment cells to develop the various colors and patterns that we see on the outside.

Paragraphs 4 to 6:
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