Native to the mountains and plateaus of Yemen and Saudi Arabia, this chameleon is perfectly suited to life in dry, warm environments where it blends in with leafy shrubs and trees. Its most distinctive feature is the tall helmet-like crest on top of its head, called a casque, which makes it look like it’s wearing a crown. This casque isn’t just for show—it helps channel water droplets from rain or dew down into the lizard’s mouth, a clever trick for surviving in arid habitats.

Of course, the Veiled chameleon is best known for its remarkable color-changing abilities. While many people think chameleons change color purely to match their surroundings, the truth is more interesting: Veiled chameleons change their colors mostly for communication and mood. Bright greens, yellows, blues, and browns can signal aggression, excitement, or courtship, while duller colors show calmness or camouflage. Males, in particular, put on dramatic color displays to ward off rivals or impress females. Their skin contains layers of special cells with crystals that reflect light in different ways, creating those dazzling shifts in color.

Behaviorally, Veiled chameleons are a bit quirky compared to other lizards. They move with a slow, swaying gait, as if they’re pretending to be leaves blowing in the wind. Their eyes can move independently, giving them a full 360-degree view of their surroundings, and when they spot prey, both eyes lock in for a precise strike. Then comes their famous hunting tool: a lightning-fast tongue that can extend longer than their own body length, snapping up crickets, grasshoppers, and other insects in the blink of an eye. Unlike many lizards that scurry after their food, Veiled chameleons are stealthy ambush predators, patiently waiting until the perfect moment to strike.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Saudi Arabia

2012

United States

2012

Introduced

Yemen

2012