Veiled Chameleon
Taxonomy
Order: Squamata
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus/species: Chamaeleo calyptratus
Description
Veiled chameleons are one of about 80 species of Old
World chameleons, also called true chameleons. They
are aggressive and brightly colored. They have a casque,
a helmet-like ridge, on top of their heads, which is
a tiny swelling as a hatchling, but grows to two inches
(5 cm) in height as the animal matures. As hatchlings,
they are usually a pastel green, but as they mature
they acquire bold bands of bright gold, green, and blue,
mixed with yellow, orange, or black, that circle their
body. The males are usually more strikingly colored
than the females, which are usually shades of green
mottled with shades of tan, orange, white, and sometimes
yellow.
There is marked sexual dimorphism. Males have a larger body and casque when mature than females. Male body length can reach between 17 and 24 inches (43 to 61 cm) from head to the tip of the tail and they are usually thin in appearance. Females reach between 10 and 14 inches (25 to 35.5 cm) in length. The female's casque is smaller than the males, and they are more heavy-bodied.
A Specialized Lizard
Chameleons are specialized tree-living lizards that
catching insect prey. Their bodies
are flattened from side to side, and more or less
leaf-shaped. They remain still and concealed for
long periods of time and wait for their prey to come
near. When they move, they do so slowly, and rock
their bodies from side to side like a leaf in the
wind.
Eyes
They have eyes that can move independently and
look in two directions at once, as well as swivel nearly
180 degrees. They are therefore able to look in any
direction, and even follow moving objects, without turning
their heads or shifting body position. When a prey animal
is spotted, both eyes will focus on the insect in order
to perceive depth.
Hands and Tail
Chameleons are highly arboreal (tree-living). They have
grasping hands that work much like human hands. Three
fingers are fused together and face toward the inside.
They also have a prehensile tail that they use as a
fifth appendage.
Color Changes
Chameleons are famous for their ability to change color.
The color change serves only partly for camouflage.
Although chameleons at rest tend to assume colors similar
to their surroundings, color change is most often used
to signify emotional state. Many chameleons are some
shade of green or brown at rest, but can become far
more brightly colored when frightened, courting, or
defending a territory against another chameleon. Veiled
chameleons when startled or threatened may darken in
color and "play possum."
Interaction with Mates
They are primarily solitary and males are very territorial.
Males and females tolerate each other only during breeding.
Distribution and Habitat
Veiled chameleons are native to Yemen and southern Saudi
Arabia, and reside in an amazing variety of different
habitats. They can be found in the dry plateaus, mountains,
and river valleys. They are arboreal, preferring to
live in trees, bushes, or shrubs. They prefer temperatures
of 75° to 95°F (24° to 35°C) and can
be found in elevations up to 3,000 feet (914 m).
Diet in the Wild
The veiled chameleon is an insectivore. It may also
eat leaves as a source of water during the dry seasons.
Zoo Diet
They are fed crickets daily.
Reproduction
They reach sexual maturity within four to five months,
at 8 to 12 inches long. Breeding may occur up to
three times a year. Females change colors within
18 hours of a successful mating. Egg laying occurs
between 20 and 30 days after mating, with clutch
sizes ranging from 35 to 85 eggs. The white, oval,
tough-skinned eggs are buried in warm sand.
Life Span
The lifespan of a veiled chameleon may be up to five
years for females and up to eight years for males.
Status
They are not listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The
veiled chameleon is the most commonly bred and available
species of its genus in the pet trade. The popularity
of the veiled chameleon is due to a number of factors.
Veiled chameleons are relatively hardy, large, beautiful,
and prolific. Because they are found in a variety of
habitats naturally, this species is tolerant of temperature
and humidity extremes, which contributes to its hardiness
in captivity.
However, wild chameleons are sold for rituals and souvenirs. For example, some believe that throwing a live chameleon into a fire will bring good luck. The growing demand by tourists for chameleon “souvenirs” puts pressure on chameleon populations.
Like those of many other animals, wild chameleon populations are experiencing pressures from commercial exploitation and extensive habitat loss. Chameleon populations are particularly sensitive to the problems associated with habitat loss because many chameleon populations have evolved in small, often isolated pockets and are unable to relocate.
Fun Facts
They are probably best known for their long, sticky
tongues that they use to catch prey. The tongue can
be more than 1.5 times the length of their body. They
"shoot" their prey with a tongue that can
be projected in the blink of an eye.
Source of Information
All or part of this information was provided by the 
Animal Diversity Web and Museum of Zoology of the University of Michigan.
It appears here with their permission. The original author of this information was Ebony Jones.
For more information, including references, see the Animal Diversity Web account for this species, here:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/ site/ accounts/ information/ Chamaeleo_calyptratus.html.
