# Veiled Chameleon (*Chamaeleo calyptratus*)

> The veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) is a tall-casqued chameleon of Yemen and Saudi Arabia, popular in the pet trade for its colour changes and projectile tongue. Adults weigh about 150 g, hunt insects in plateau scrub, and are listed Least Concern — though wild collection and habitat pressure occur locally.

- **Category:** Reptile
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Mountain and coastal regions of Yemen and Saudi Arabia; popular in the pet trade.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/veiled-chameleon/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

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

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Chamaeleo calyptratus |
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Habitat | Plateau scrub and mountain valleys |
| Lifespan | Around 6 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 0.15 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 2 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Casque and turret eyes

The bony casque is taller in males. Independently moving eyes scan for prey; the tongue can exceed body length to snatch insects. Colour shifts signal mood and social status more than perfect background matching.

## Insect hunter of arid scrub

Diet is insects and other arthropods; captive animals sometimes accept vegetation, but protein from insects is essential. They drink droplets from leaves more than still bowls.

## Yemen and Saudi mountains

Mountain and coastal regions of Yemen and Saudi Arabia in plateau scrub and valleys — surprisingly arid compared with rainforest chameleons.

## Pet-trade abundance

Least Concern with a reasonably wide native range. Captive breeding supplies most pets; wild collection and qat agriculture can still stress local habitats.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the helmet on a veiled chameleon?

A bony casque that is especially tall in males; roles may include display and water channelling.

### How far can a veiled chameleon's tongue shoot?

The tongue can extend roughly 1.5–2 times the body length to catch insects.

### Do veiled chameleons change colour for camouflage?

Colour change mainly signals temperature and social state; camouflage is secondary.

### Where are veiled chameleons from?

Yemen and Saudi Arabia — not Madagascar. Native range summary: Mountain and coastal regions of Yemen and Saudi Arabia; popular in the pet trade.

### Are veiled chameleons good beginner pets?

They need specialised UVB lighting, ventilation, and insect diets; many beginners underestimate care requirements.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/veiled-chameleon/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.