Veiled Chameleon

Fast Facts

DID YOU KNOW?The Veiled Chameleon is an excellent hunter. Itsflattened, leaf-shaped body and colouring provideexcellent camouflage. It remains still and concealeduntil an insect appears. Very slowly, it approachesuntil its in the perfect position then whips its tongueout at lightning speed to grasp its meal.

DescriptionVeiled Chameleons are mostly green or brown but display orange, yellow, white orblue spots. Their famous ability to change colour, while useful for camouflage, ismostly done when frightened, excited, defending territory or trying to attract amate.

The Veiled Chameleon has a large casque on top of its head that can grow up to 5 cm tall. A chameleon’s eyes can move independently, see in two directions atonce and swivel nearly 180 degrees. It also has a long, sticky tongue that itshoots to catch its prey. It has grasping hands and a long prehensile tail that actslike a fifth limb. Males are usually bigger and are more striking than females.

DietVeiled Chameleons are insectivores but may also eat leaves as a source of waterduring the dry season.

ReproductionMating may occur more than once during the year. If a female is receptive tobreeding, she changes colour – a strong indication to any nearby males that sheis ready for courting. The male then displays to her by rolling his head or rubbingchins. About 18 hours after a successful mating, the female changes colouragain. Up to a month later, she lays her eggs and buries them in the sand.

ThreatsVeiled Chameleons are commonly bred for the pet trade, however, they are stilltaken from the wild and sold as souvenirs to tourists. They are also under threatfrom habitat loss.

At Perth ZooYou can find the Veiled Chameleon in the Reptile Encounter.

Distribution

EX EW EN NT LC

Extinct Least ConcernThreatened

CR VU

Other Names: Cone-head Chameleon, YemenChameleon

Scientific Name: Chamaeleo calyptratus

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Body Length: 25–61 cm

Weight: 90–200 g

Incubation: Up to 200 days

Number of eggs: 30–85

Habitat: From dry plateaus to mountains,anywhere with trees, shrubs and bushes

Distribution: Yemen and Saudi Arabia