Chameleon CornerSpecies / Veiled chameleon
The veiled chameleon wears a tall, helmet-like crest called a casque. It is one of the larger and sturdier species, and its natural range covers highland areas of Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia.
- Range
- Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia
- Size
- Males commonly reach 40 to 50 cm including the tail
- Habitat
- Highland scrub, valleys and plantations
- Diet
- Mostly insects, with some leaves and fruit
- Lifespan
- Roughly 5 to 8 years for males, a little less for females
What makes it special
This species copes with larger swings in temperature and humidity than many of its relatives, which is part of why it appears so often in the pet trade. Males are bigger, have a taller casque and carry a small spur on the back of each hind foot.
Females lay dozens of eggs in a burrow they dig themselves. Their colors turn dark with bold patterns during pregnancy, which signals that they are not interested in males.