Quick Facts
- Type
- Reptile
- Size
- 35–60 cm (including tail)
- Weight
- 90–200 g
- Habitat
- Mountain valleys and plateaus of Yemen and Saudi Arabia
- Diet
- Insects, with some leaves and flowers
- Active Time
- Active by day (diurnal)
- Lifespan
- About 5–8 years
Field Notes
- Its tongue can shoot out longer than its body to snatch insects in milliseconds.
- Its two eyes move independently, giving a near-360-degree field of view.
- The tall head casque helps channel dew toward its mouth to drink.
About the Veiled Chameleon
The veiled chameleon is a large lizard native to the mountains and valleys of Yemen and Saudi Arabia, named for the tall helmet-like casque on its head. Like other chameleons, it can change color in response to mood, temperature, and light, and its eyes move independently to scan in two directions at once. It captures insects with a projectile tongue that can extend longer than its own body in a fraction of a second. Pincer-like feet and a coiling prehensile tail make it a skilled, deliberate climber.
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