Veiled Chameleons originate from the mountain regions of Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
Anatomical Characteristics:
Veiled Chameleons can grow to between 10-24inches (25-60cm) in length. They typically have a helmet like protrusion on top of their head called a “casque”. Males have a green base colour which varies according to mood. It can shift from bright lime to a dark olive green. This base colour is marked with shades, stripes and spots of black, white, orange, yellow, turquoise and green. Usually, females and juveniles are a dark green colour. Pregnant females display vivid green, yellow and blue spots with some patterns. Veiled Chameleons have independently moving eyes to observe their surroundings, but both eyes focus on a single target prey for precision shooting from a distance with their specialized tongue, which can be as long as their whole body. Their tail is prehensile which facilitates moving around in tree branches. The Veiled Chameleon’s body is flattened so as to mimic a leaf, and they are camouflaged even further by their changing skin colour.
Veiled Chameleons are tree dwellers and hunt insects. They ambush their prey after lying in wait for a prey to approach within striking distance. They solitary animals and do not tolerate living with other animals, even their own species. Males can be very aggressive in territorial or courtship disputes and can inflict serious injuries or death to other males. Male courtship behaviour consists of intensifying colouration, head bobbing and using a jerky gait. Receptive females respond by moving slowly away but allowing males to catch up and mount her to copulate. Females unwilling to mate will gape, hiss, swing from side to side or even attack a male suitor. Females can lay up to 3 clutches of eggs a year, with each clutch containing between 20-70 eggs, which she digs deep under sand or other appropriate ground, where the eggs will incubate for between 6-9 months. Female Veiled Chameleons can mate once and consequently produce multiple clutches of eggs.
Sexing:
Male Veiled Chameleons are usually larger than females and also have a larger casque. Males have that distinguishing tarsal spur on their hind legs since birth, which is not found in females.
Diet:
Veiled Chameleons are omnivorous, eating mainly insects, but also supplementing with leaves like acacia and blossoms of various plants. They do not recognize standing water as such, but drink moisture droplets off leaves or wherever water droplets may develop. Water should be sprayed or provided via a drip method, and not in static water bowls. Captive Veiled Chameleons should be fed gut loaded crickets, silkworms, cockroach nymphs, houseflies, wax worms and mealworms.
Housing:
Captive Veiled Chameleons should have cross ventilation in their enclosure. At least 2 sides should be made of mesh wire. They prefer vertical climbing space to horizontal space.Basking and climbing branches should be slightly larger than the chameleons grip. Do not use sand or other loose substrates as bedding as they can ingest some if an insect falls onto the floor and is eaten. Place a plant like pothos for cover and nutrition. Provide hot basking spots of between 90-100°F (32-38°C). Day temperature should be around 80°F (26°C) and should fall to around 70° (21°C) at night. Full spectrum lighting with UVB should be in place for a healthy Veiled Chameleon.
Health:
Captive Veiled Chameleons tend to suffer from metabolic bone disease, caused by lack of calcium in their diet, signs of which are being bowlegged and other bone deformities. All food should be supplemented with calcium.
