Chameleons and carotenoids...
Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene - Orthomolecular.org
"Of primary importance, on the other
hand, to the old world chameleon, are the
other 400-odd carotenoids which it ingests
by feasting on exotic bugs which them-
selves have eaten myriad plant isoprenoid
pigments. Once within the chameleon, not
only do these carotenoids sequester them-
selves within reptilian dermal cells (pris-
matically formed to magnify the color
changing effect) but they directly support
osteoblastic activity. Now you know why
these magnificent lizards rarely survive
captivity; without the exotic plants and
bugs, their diet offers inadequate caro-
tenoids and their skeletal structure fails
them causing fatal electrolyte imbalances."
Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene - Orthomolecular.org
"Of primary importance, on the other
hand, to the old world chameleon, are the
other 400-odd carotenoids which it ingests
by feasting on exotic bugs which them-
selves have eaten myriad plant isoprenoid
pigments. Once within the chameleon, not
only do these carotenoids sequester them-
selves within reptilian dermal cells (pris-
matically formed to magnify the color
changing effect) but they directly support
osteoblastic activity. Now you know why
these magnificent lizards rarely survive
captivity; without the exotic plants and
bugs, their diet offers inadequate caro-
tenoids and their skeletal structure fails
them causing fatal electrolyte imbalances."