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481 Featured Specimen
Veiled chameleon

Details

Veiled chameleon

Chamaeleo calyptratus

Size
Total length 25–60 cm · 90–200 g
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Sociality
Solitary
Lifespan
5–8 years

The veiled chameleon is an arboreal lizard marked by a tall casque on the head. It moves slowly through branches and shoots out a long tongue to catch insects.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
PalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticAfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropical

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It inhabits Afrotropical and Palearctic mountain forest and wooded dry country. Shrubs, orchards, and vegetated valleys are commonly used.

Appearance

Total length 25-60 cm; weight 90-200 g. A high helmetlike casque crowns the head, and the eyes move independently. Green body colors may show yellow or blue bands.

Behavior

Diurnal and solitary, it grips branches with zygodactyl feet and a prehensile tail. Color changes signal condition, stress, and social state.

Feeding

An omnivore, it eats mainly insects but also nips leaves and flowers. A rapid tongue strike captures prey from a distance.

Reproduction

Females dig holes in the ground and lay eggs. Hatchlings are independent and catch tiny insects in vegetation.

Notes

It is listed as Least Concern. Common in captivity, it is naturally a heat- and drought-tolerant tree-dwelling reptile.