JACKSON'S CHAMELEON: This strange character gives new meaning to the term "wandering eye." Unlike our eyes, which are sunken into protective, bony sockets, the Jackson's chameleon's eyes stick out from either side of its head on raised turrets. Each of these turrets can swivel 180 degrees, which means the Jackson's chameleon can see in every direction without moving its head. Each turret operates independently from the other, so while one eye looks for insects on the branch ahead, the other may be looking directly behind or above. When the chameleon spots a tasty meal with one eye, it swivels the other eye in the same direction. This gives the chameleon stereoscopic vision, or the ability to see a single image instead of two, allowing it to judge the distance between itself and its prey. Its meal in sight, the chameleon strikes with its long, sticky tongue — about one-and-a-half times its own length — then quickly pulls the insect into its mouth, never having moved its body so much as a fraction of an inch. The Jackson's chameleon also has a "third eye" — a small spot on its head sensitive to violet and blue light. Although it can't form images, this third eye, which is covered in scales, may help the chameleon tell when the sun is rising or setting.