Rolling Hills Zoo
 
Home  >  Zoo  >  Animals  >   C  >   Chameleon, Veiled

Fast Facts:

  • They are well adapted to extreme temperatures and scarce water.

  • Arboreal or tree dwelling.

  • Will sit motionless for hours waiting for prey.

Veiled Chameleon

Scientific Name Chamaeleo calyptorarus
Classification Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Reptilia, Order Squamata
Status
Range Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
Habitat Deserts
Diet With their sticky tongues, which are longer than their body, chameleons catch their food. They eat insects and some vegetation.
Size They are well adapted to extreme temperatures and scarce water.
Life Span
Location Not on exhibit at this time.
Print Fact Sheet Chameleon

Special Features

  • The leaf-like body acts as camouflage . They move side to side like a leaf fluttering in the wind.
  • Eyes can turn 180 degrees and can focus in two different directions.
  • Males have a fleshy appendage on the rear feet called a tarsal spur.
  • Ectothermic


Social Structure & Behavior

Chameleons are generally solitary. Males are very territorial.

Breeding & Care of Young
Breeding can occur three times per year. Egg laying occurs 20-30 days after mating. Although arboreal, females will crawl to the ground a few days before laying her eggs. She will lay 30-50 white, oval, tough skinned eggs, which she will bury in the warm sand until they hatch. Once hatched the young chameleons will reach sexually mature at 4-5 months old.

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Copyright 2007 ~ Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure ~ Contact Us