Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1294561
9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 OCTOBER 2020 NATURE We all recognise the familiar chameleon, and we all know about its famous colour-changing party trick. In Malta we have just one species: the Mediterranean chameleon (M. kamaleonti) and it isn't even native, having been introduced by 19th century missionaries returning from North Africa. Despite its arboreal nature, however, the chameleon has adapted well to our largely treeless landscape, and is today widespread on all three main islands. Chameleons are animals of hot climates and do not occur much further north than our latitudes – no wonder visitors from northern Europe get so excited when they spot one here. Like all other reptiles, chameleons are protected in Malta and may not be disturbed or kept in captivity. Oh, and they don't explode, scream, implode, inflate, turn white or drop dead on contact with red. What actually happens is… exactly nothing! Text and photo: Victor Falzon 730. MEDITERRANEAN CHAMELEON Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 623 See all the books available in our Green Library by following this link: http://foemalta. org/library Friends of the Earth Malta Green Library The Friends of the Earth Malta team is making some final preparations before its Green Library is ready for opening. Members and volunteers can make use of this library at our place in Floriana and eventually borrow them, but due to the current situation, opening hours will be limited. You will find wonderful books about the planet, agriculture, gardening, farming, bees, food, global issues linked with the environment, the European Green Deal, and so much more… This action was funded with the financial support of Agenzija Zghazagh through the Be Active Initiative. Opening soon! Growing up in prehistoric Malta GROWING up in today's world may not be easy; the busy sched- ules, the homework, the extra lessons, mums telling us to get off our mobiles, not to mention those pesky siblings! Parents often mention that things were better when they were young, but what about prehistoric childhood? What about growing up all the way back in the Neolithic? No school and no homework – brilliant right?! But no TV and no Wi-Fi too! On Saturday, 3rd October, Heritage Malta is inviting chil- dren to visit Ħaġar Qim in order to find out more about what it was like to be a child in Prehistoric Malta. How did children spend their days in those ancient times, what did they eat and how did they learn without attending school? The curators will be giv- ing exclusive tours at Ħaġar Qim with special access to the North Temple for children 7 to 12 years old (recommended age). Each tour will last around an hour and will accommodate 10 children. One parent/guard- ian may accompany each child. Tours will be in Maltese at 10:00hrs and in English at 14:00hrs. Tickets need to be pre- booked. Price: €5 per child (5 to 15 years) – one accompany- ing adult can accompany child free of charge. Due to COVID-19 health reg- ulations, temperature reading will take place and Heritage Malta reserves the right to deny access to anyone with a temperature higher than 37.2 degrees Celsius or if feeling un- well. All participants will be re- quired to wear masks through- out the whole activity. For more information, visit www.heritagemalta.org