Veiled Chameleon
(Chamaeleo calyptratus)

Range: Arabian Peninsula

Habitat: Trees

Diet: Insects, some leaves

Identification: Large, green lizards with triangular heads, swiveling eyes, a curling, prehensile tail and a large, flat crest (casque).

Notes: Veiled chameleons are instantly recognizable due to their large size and large casque (head crest). This casque grows with age. Veiled chameleons are sexually dimorphic (Males are larger and have a larger casque). Males also live longer. Chameleons make terrible pets because they have specific care needs (temperature, habitat, vitamins and supplements). People value veiled chameleons for their somewhat tamer (relative to other commonly available chameleon species) demeanor and attractive appearance. Chameleon coloration has a lot to do with health, behavior, stimulation, comfort level, and emotion. This coloration is also important for camouflage. Chameleons have incredibly long, sticky tongues with which they catch their prey. They can spot prey (with their autonomous eyes), open their mouth, release their tongue, catch the prey, retract the tongue, and close their mouth an instant. Their swift tongue is especially helpful because chameleons move very slowly. Chameleons are arboreal. Their tail is prehensile (able to grasp). They also have zygodactylic feet, a common trait among arboreal animals. Zygodactly means that each foot/hand has two digits on one side of it and 2-3 digits on the other. Zygodactly allows a chameleon to wrap their digits around a branch, giving them a better grip as they climb. Their coloration and body conformation make them a successful leaf mimic, their primary means of defense. A chameleon’s wide range of vision (thanks to their autonomous eyes) also helps them spot trouble before trouble spots them. Veiled chameleons have become a serious problem as an introduced species in Hawaii.

At The Children’s Museum: The Children’s Museum has a Veiled Chameleon living in the UTC Wildlife Sanctuary.