| Species name | Chamaeleo calyptratus |
| Nominate species | Chamaeleo calyptratus calyptratus |
| Subspecies | Chamaeleo calyptratus calcarifer |
| Common name | Veiled chameleon |
| Local name | Gurafah (Arabic) |
| Author | Chamaeleo calyptratus calyptratus: DUMÈRIL & BIBRON 1851 |
| Author | Chamaeleo calyptratus calcarifer: PETERS 1869 |
| Etymology | Chamaeleo is derived from the Greek “Chamae” (small or crawling) and “Leo” (lion). Calyptratus refers to the Greek “Kalyptos” (hidden or disappeared). “calcarifer” comes from the Latin “calcar“, the name means something like “with spores” |
| Taxonomic history | 1851 – Chamaeleo calyptratus – DUMIRIL & BIBRON 1865 – Chamaeleo calyptratus – GRAY 1984 – Chamaeleo calyptratus calyptratus -HILLENIUS & GESPERETTI 1986 – Chamaeleo (chamaeleo) calyptratus calyptratus – KLAVER & BÖHME 1999 – Chamaeleo (chamaeleo) calyptratus – NECAS 2009 – Chamaeleo calyptratus calyptratus – TILBURY & TOLLEY 1869 – Chamaeleo calcaratus – PETERS |
| Systematics | Chamaeleo calyptratus is related to species such as Ch. africanus, Ch. arabicus, Ch. calcaricens, Ch. zeylanicus and Ch. chamaeleon ssp.
nominate species Ch. capyptratus calyptratus subspecies Ch. calyptratus calcarifer
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| Typus | Ch. calyptratus calyptratus: Syntypes: MHNP 6522 male, MHNP 6634 male and MHNP 6633 female.
Ch. calyptratus calcarifer: Syntypes: CAC140397 male, CAC134167 female, CAC135118 female. |
| Terra typica | Ch. calyptratus calyptratus: région du Nil, Africa
Ch. calyptratus calcarifer: southern Arabian peninsula |
| Distribution | Chamaeleo calyptratus calyptratus:
Yemen. Chamaeleo calyptratus calcarifer: Southwestern Saudi Arabia (Asir province) (fide Fritz & Schütte 1987: 23).
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| Macro-habitat | Chamaeleo calyptratus calyptratus:
Montane subtropical acacia forest, farmland, plantations, vegetation on roadsides, in valleys of mountains. Chamaeleo calyptratus calcarifer: Wooded areas on the foothill and valleys of mountains. |
| Micro-habitat | Trees, shrubs, secondary vegetation, agricultural vegetation |
| Perching height | 0-20m. Babies in low vegetation, such as grass and bushes. Adults in Bushes and trees. |
| Daily activity | Basking in the early morning and late afternoon
During the noon they stay in shade and halfshade hunting for prey. Only dominant males expose themselves to the intense sun at noon |
| Population density | high |
| Climate | subtropical to tropical climate
Rain-Season: April to August Dry-Season: September to March |
| Humidity | Daytime: 20- 50% Depending on season
Nightime: 90-100% over the whole year |
| IUCN status | Least concern due to its tolerance of a broad range of habitats.
The pet trade does affect wild populations as all animals in the trade have a captive origin |
| Conservation | No conservation projects |
| Cites | Cites Ap. II |
| Description | Size:
Ch. calyptratus calyptratus: Males around 54 cm (21”) Females around 40cm (15”) Ch. calyptratus calcarifer: Males around 47cm (18”) TL longer than SVL in both sexes. Casque and crests: Casque high Parietal crest (convex) and lateral crest distinct Thin occipital lobes present Rostral crest distinct, each terminating isolated at the snout-tip Supraorbital ridge continues posteriorly as short lateral crest Gular and ventral crest distinct, consisting of come shaped tubercles which decrease in size posterior and reaching to the cloaca Dorsal crest distinct, consists of a row of cone-shaped scales which decrease in size posteriorly. Ch. Calyptratus calcarifer differs from the nominate form, by having a lower casque. The gular and ventral crest is smaller. Visit the Species gallery for more pictures! |
| Scalation | Homogeneous with granular scales |
| Color | Ch. calyptratus calyptratus:
basic color varies in different shades of green, blue and yellow 4-5 vertically dark bands, if excited males show 3 yellow bars Tail banded with 18-20 dark bands Limbs also banded. The eye turret has dark green radiating lines. Ventral crest is white. Gravid coloration of females: Dark black coloration with vibrant yellow markings and turquoise/ yellow dots.
The sub species differs from the nominate species by not having as bright colors and markings. Color-aberrations are possible in inbred animals of Chamaeleo calyptratus calyptratus |
| Sexual dimorphism | Mature males larger than females
Casque height in males is higher, scales of dorsal- and tubercles of gular crest are more prominent in males. Tarsal spur on each hind foot and a hemipenal bulge are present in males. In rare occasions the tarsal spur is present in females too |
| Hemipenis | Hemipenis is club-shaped and pedicel constitutes one-third of the entire hemipenis. “Sulcal lips” are strongly developed and partially decorated with rows of papillae. Truncus is calyculate, ie. there are calyces. At the bottom of the root there are parallel grooves that gradually connect and close the elongated calyces that sit halfway up the pedicle and apex. Apex ends with a pair of large semi-circular rotulae. Right in the middle, under these rotulae is an extremely serrated crest and underneath this crest are two pairs of less tight-fitting rotulae All rotulae have denticulated margins. Hemipenis at Ch. Calyptratus calcarifer is similar to that of Ch. calyptratus calyptratus, but distinguishes itself in that the two pairs of smaller rotulae are more prominent and the rear (asulcal) rotulae are more round. (Klaver & Böhme 1986) |
| Lungs | has a small skin membrane at the top front of the lung
Two large septa, close to the main bronchi, devide the lung into it into three open chambers – the upper, middle and lower. At the top and front of the lung there are also partly three small septa. The underside of the lung has seven finger-like pockets where some of them branch. |
| Karotype | Unknown. |
| Aggression | Aggressive |
| Parity | oviparous |
| Breeding season | July – August. |
| Gestation period | Gestation period around 1 month. |
| Incubation period | Incubation period 7-9 months |
| Hatching season | Hatching period. March – April. After the first rain. |
| Clutch size | Nature 15-45. In captivity10-120 depending on the size of the female and feeding schedule
Eggs are burried in 10-15cm depth. |
| Hatchlings size | 65-84mm. |
| Sexual maturity | 4-5 months, depending on the size. |
| Courting behavior | Males: head nodding, flatten if the body, swing his tail and show bright colors.
None receptive females will turn dark and gape.
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| Encrypting behavior | The basic camouflage of Ch. calyptratus lies in its colors that match the vegetation. |
| Feeding behavior/Diet | Small insects up to 3cm
Mostly Flies, bees, wasps, beetles, moths, caterpillars, butterflies, snails, and grasshoppers Larger Individuals can prey sometimes on small vertebrates
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| Lifespan | 8-9 months in nature. Most animals only survive one Rain-Season, around 8-9 months, due to the harsh conditions in the dry-Season. |
| Captive requirements | Single housed due interspecific aggression
Terrarium size: For adults: At least a netto volume 3x2x3 (LxBxH) of the total length + additional volume if soil is used. Juveniles can be raised in 50x50x80 Terrarium Type: Good ventilated highland terrarium with dense vegetation (Acacia, Schefflera, Ficus, Asparagus) and lots of vertical and horizontal branches. Living plants are important, as they provide shade from the sharp UV light and offer a place to hide in. Temperature: Rain season: 24-28°C at daytime 16-18°C at nighttime Dry season: 19-23°C at daytime 12-15°C at nighttime Basking-spot: 30°C Humidity: Hydration (in general): Fogger running for several hours each night. Hydration supplement, as a precaution: Misting in the morning and evening for 1 minute (mister), depending on whether there are drainage in the bottom. A dripper can be used in the morning and evening, as a hydration supplement. In rainy season: Misting the enclosure one time in the afternoon for 1 minute (heat lamps must turn off 30 minutes before misting and turn on 30 minutes after misting). (Health issues) Lightning: A heating spot bulb concentrates the heat somewhere and allows chameleons to find cooler areas. However, the heat lamp must be placed in a place where the animal cannot reach it, otherwise it may get burns. UVB has an important role, as it allows the animal’s body to convert D2 vitamin, from the diet, to D3, and plays an important role in the absorption of calcium. Artificial lightning can be achieved with several types of light sources. There must be a heating area where the animal can warm up the body. Here, a spot bulb is recommended as it concentrates the heat somewhere and allows chameleons to find cooler areas. However, the heat lamp must be placed in a place where the animal cannot reach it, otherwise it may have burns. An example of how to combine the lighting. Lighting: 6500k T5/ fluorescent -tube 6% UVB T8/T8 fluorescent-tube 50w halogen spot for basking HQI-Bulbs Lightning for 12 hours per day. |
| Incubation | Eggs are buried 10-15cm into the soil
Method 1 1.5 months 24-25°C 2 months to decrease temperature from 25 to15°C 2 months 14-15°C 2 months to increase temperature from 14°C to 24°C until hatching 24-25°C Incubation period depends on the temperatures. Lower temperatures results in longer incubation period. Higher temperatures results in shorter incubation period, but smaller hatchlings. Incubation eggs in a more natural way, by simulating seasons (see above), results in a incubation period of 7-9 months. Temperature-fluctuations of 1-2°C (Day/Night) and changing soil-humidity (rain/dry-season) increase |
| Source | Andrews, R.M. & Donoghue, S. (2004). Effects of temperature and moisture on embryonic diapause of the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus). J.Exp. Zool. Part A, 301A, 629–635.
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