Veiled chameleons, chamaeleo calyptratus, are a fascinating species. They can grow anywhere from 10 to 24 inches (25 to 61 centimeters) in length depending on the gender (males are larger than females). Both genders have casques, which are helmet-like ridges, on top of their heads, but females’ are smaller than males’. Now, veiled chameleons can change color, but normally, males have a base green color. Non-breeding females, as well as juveniles, will have almost a completely green color with some white markings. Breeding females on the other hand, have a very dark-green color with blue and yellow spots. Despite the popular belief, veiled chameleons will change color in order to represent their mood as opposed to doing it to hide from predators. Their normal coloration is often times enough to conceal themselves from danger.
Veiled chameleons can be found in both Yemen and Saudi Arabia. They can often be seen inhabiting mountains, dry plateaus, and river valleys and have been found at elevations of up to 3,000 feet (914 meters). They prefer to live in temperatures ranging from 75 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius), but can adapt to both lower and higher temperatures. Veiled chameleons are an arboreal species, meaning that they spend most of their time up in trees, although they will also live near the ground in bushes and shrubs. They are solitary animals and very territorial, only interacting with each other during the breeding season. They are slow moving creatures, swaying back and forth like a leaf when they move in order to throw off both predators and prey.
The diet of veiled chameleons consists mostly of insects, although they will also eat leaves for water during the dry season. They have a preference for certain types of prey, with green insects being their favorite. Veiled chameleons locate their prey with the help of their eyes, which move independently of one another, and once food has been spotted, both eyes will fix on it in order to help with depth perception. They will remain motionless for long periods of time and wait for their prey to get close to them. Once they are within range, veiled chameleons will shoot out their tongues, which can be as long as they are, and catch their prey with the tip. They will then reel their tongue back in and swallow their food whole.
Breeding for veiled chameleons can take place up to 3 times a year. After a successful mating, the females will change colors within 18 hours. They will then lay anywhere from 20 to 85 eggs in warm sand after a 20 to 30 day gestation period. The eggs will hatch 6 to 9 months after being buried into the ground. If the young ones can survive long enough, then they can live up to 5 (females) or 8 years (males).
Veiled chameleons are not listed as endangered, although they still face pressure. Loss of their natural habitat is their greatest threat along with some beliefs among the local people that chameleons can bring good luck by throwing a live one in a fire. Their parts are also sold to people who use them in rituals. Hopefully, wild veiled chameleons can overcome such obstacles and avoid the threat of extinction. After all, such a unique species of lizard deserves to live and prosper for many years.
