Yemen Chameleon

DESCRIPTION

This species is easily recognised due to the large casque on its head, up to 
8cm long in males. 
They have a flat body which attempts to imitate a leaf, and allows it to capture the heat of the sun. Its body is green, and depending on its mood, may vary from a bright lime green to a dark olive green. 
The green colour is marked with yellow, brown and blue stripes and spots. This means that they can communicate through their colouring. Females have paler colours. 
Their feet are specially designed to grip and climb branches. They have a prehensile tail which acts as a fifth limb, also helping them to climb.

ETHOLOGY

They are solitary animals. Males forcefully defend their territory from other males, but accept females ready for mating. To lay eggs, the female digs a hole in the ground. Each clutch may contain 20-70 eggs. The eggs usually take 6-9 months to hatch.
Veiled chameleons are ambush predators and are able to remain still for long periods of time waiting for an unsuspecting insect to appear nearby

CURIOSITIES

In the past, this species was captured in its natural environment for the pet trade. However, exports from Arabia have decreased in recent years due to these animals breeding very well in captivity.