gianlucadamico

Chameleons have the most distinctive eyes of any reptile. Their upper and lower eyelids are joined, with only a pinhole large enough for the pupil to see through. They can rotate and focus separately to observe two different objects simultaneously, which lets their eyes move independently from each other. This gives them a full 360-degree arc of vision around their body. When prey is located, both eyes can be focused in the same direction, giving sharp stereoscopic vision and depth perception. Chameleons have very good eyesight for reptiles, letting them see small insects from a long (5–10 m) distance.

  Etosha’s elephants are one of the largest in Africa, the tallest measuring up to four meters at the shoulder. With their skin stained white by clay and calcite sand, these elephants look like ghosts haunting the sun-drenched savannah. Once the moisture dry, a residue of white calcite sand and white clay is left covering their leathery skin. Their tusks on the other hand, are smaller than those of elephants elsewhere in Africa. This is ascribed to breakages resulting from mineral deficiencies in their diet and genetic defects. The fact that Etosha’s elephants have smallish tusks is a distinct advantage, in so far as this makes them less likely to fall prey to ivory poachers.