# Veiled Chameleon (*Chamaeleo calyptratus*)

The Veiled Chameleon is a colorful lizard that is great at climbing! They have a unique helmet-like crest on their heads.

- **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Mountainous regions and forests
- **Also known as:** Veiled Chamaeleon, Yemen Chameleon

![Veiled Chameleon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426294/objects/5680.jpg)

## Appearance

The Veiled Chameleon is a striking reptile known for the large, helmet-like 'casque' on its head. It has vibrant green, yellow, and brown bands or patches, often with speckled patterns. Males typically exhibit brighter colors and a more prominent casque.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Squamata
- **Order:** Lacertilia
- **Family:** Chamaeleonidae
- **Genus:** Chamaeleo

## Interesting facts

- Baby veiled chameleons are born with dull colors and only brighten as they grow up.
- Males have tiny 'spurs' on their back feet that look like little extra toes!
- Their helmet-like casque channels dew and rain directly into their mouths to drink!
- They spend almost their entire lives up in trees, rarely touching the ground below.

## Special abilities

- **Super Sticky Tongue:** Veiled Chameleons can shoot their super sticky tongue out twice their body length in a flash to snatch unsuspecting insects!
- **Independent Eyeballs:** Veiled Chameleons can move each eye in a different direction at once, giving them a 360-degree view without moving their head!
- **Mood Ring Skin:** Veiled Chameleons can change their skin color to camouflage, communicate their feelings, or even show off to other chameleons!
- **Branch Grapplers:** Veiled Chameleons have specialized pincer-like feet and a gripping tail to hold onto branches like an expert climber.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 25-60 cm
- **Weight:** 0.05-0.2 kg
- **Lifespan:** 4-8 years
- **Speed:** 0.5 km/h
- **Clutch Size:** 20-80
- **Incubation:** 150-200 days

## Diet & Feeding

These insect-loving reptiles snack on creepy crawlies, and sometimes even a little green salad!

- **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Locusts, Flies, Moths, Leafy Greens, Flowers
- **Foraging Method:** Ambush

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Jackal Buzzard (*Buteo rufofuscus*) — This large bird of prey hunts chameleons in their natural habitat.
- **Eaten by:** Yemen Cat Snake (*Telescopus dhara*) — These nocturnal snakes sometimes prey on sleeping chameleons.
- **Eats:** [Migratory Locust](https://www.snappit.app/explore/migratory-locust) (*Locusta migratoria*) — A favorite meal for the chameleon, caught with its speedy tongue.
- **Eats:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Chameleons feast on these common flying insects.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
- [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.

## Collections

- [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles)
- [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Veiled Chameleon?

Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Veiled Chameleon?

25-60 cm

### How much does Veiled Chameleon weigh?

0.05-0.2 kg

### How long does Veiled Chameleon live?

4-8 years

### How fast can Veiled Chameleon move?

0.5 km/h

### What does Veiled Chameleon eat?

These insect-loving reptiles snack on creepy crawlies, and sometimes even a little green salad!

### Where is Veiled Chameleon usually found?

Mountainous regions and forests

### How does Veiled Chameleon hunt?

Ambush

## More Reptiles

- [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*)
- [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*)
- [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*)
- [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*)

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Source: [Veiled Chameleon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/veiled-chameleon)