Humans believe that I change my skin to different colors just for the fun of it. They think the moment I find myself in the range of a beautiful and striking color, I excitedly pick it up. However, that is far from the truth. My skin changing ability is not for fashion, rather it’s for survival.
The moment I sense danger, then I have no other means of escape than to blend in with the environment. I a widely sought after by predators, what chance of survival do I have in the face of one? I can’t run, I can fly, I can’t fight back. The only defense mechanism I have is my camouflage.
The other day, it felt like I disappeared from the sight of Mr Viper in the green leaves.
Apart from predators in the wild, there have been some instances in which I’ve been saved by my camouflage. I had to cross over to the other side of the road. The road was full of dried leaves. If I just changed colors at will anytime I like, I would have taken the brown color of dried leaves. But if I had done so, this would have been a different story entirely.
Like I said earlier, I don’t have speed. I can’t run to save my life. I took the time to study the road and it’s environs to make sure there is no danger in sight.
Seeing none, I started my majestic walk across the road. But it was not a calculated one. There, was the sound of a car, getting closer with every step I took. I was in the middle of the road already, I could not go back and I could not go faster. The chances I won’t be tired was very slim. Wait, it’s not slim. It’s nonexistent, because the front left tire was moving directly at me. What a way to die.
Or not.
There was a swift sideways movement of the car. Well I was not tired. When I made it to the other side, I reflected on what happened. How did the driver notice me to swerve so quickly?
I didn’t blend with the brown leaves! I maintained my light green color, and so I was able to live another day.
My ability to change colors to match my surroundings is not for fun nor for beauty.
It’s for survival. If I can’t ward off predators and can’t run, at least I can disappear from their sight? (If I am lucky enough).
Check out my previous work: The world through the eyes of the Agama