Avis de non-responsabilité concernant les photos
Description
Veiled Chameleon (Translucent)
Scientific Name: Chamaeleo calyptratus
Common Name: Translucent Veiled Chameleon
Species Overview
Size: Adults typically reach 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm) in total length, with males being larger, more vibrant, and possessing taller casques than females.
Appearance: The Translucent Veiled Chameleon is a selectively bred variation of the species, recognised by its partially transparent skin, particularly around the casque, face, lips, and extremities. These areas may appear milky, bluish, or slightly see-through. Many individuals exhibit dark eyeliner, pale facial patches, or more defined contrast between colours due to the reduced opacity of certain scales. Their base patterning remains typical of the species, with green, yellow, and turquoise tones forming vertical bands along the body.
Distribution: This morph originates from captive breeding programs. Wild Veiled Chameleons are native to Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Habitat (Natural Origin): In the wild, Veiled Chameleons inhabit semi-arid mountain slopes, scrubland, and wadis where they experience strong sunlight, variable humidity, and significant nighttime cooling.
Behaviour: Translucent Veiled Chameleons behave the same as wild-type individuals—diurnal, solitary, territorial, and strictly arboreal. They do not tolerate handling well and require a stable, well-ventilated environment to thrive.
Captive Care
Enclosure: Provide an enclosure at least 36 × 18 × 36 inches (90 × 45 × 90 cm) for one adult, with a preferred upgraded size of 48 × 24 × 48 inches (120 × 60 × 120 cm) for improved climbing space and environmental stability. Use live or artificial plants, sturdy branches, and horizontal and vertical climbing routes. Excellent ventilation is essential, making screen-front or hybrid enclosures ideal.
Temperature and Humidity:
Basking area: 95 to 105°F (35 to 40°C)
Ambient daytime: 75 to 85°F (24 to 29°C)
Cool side: 72 to 75°F (22 to 24°C)
Night temperatures: 65 to 72°F (18 to 22°C)
Humidity: 50 to 70%, maintained through misting and allowing a dry-out period between cycles.
Lighting: Provide strong full-spectrum lighting with high-output UVB (10%). Bright lighting supports natural behaviours, calcium metabolism, and casque development. A gradient of basking and shaded zones is essential.
Diet: Offer a varied insectivorous diet including roaches, crickets, silkworms, hornworms, black soldier fly larvae, and occasional waxworms. Veiled Chameleons readily consume plant matter, so leafy greens such as collard, mustard, and dandelion greens can be offered. Gut-load all feeders and dust with calcium frequently, with multivitamins added weekly.
Behaviour in Captivity: This species thrives as a display lizard and should not be handled frequently. They are active climbers, strong visual communicators, and show natural colour and posture changes throughout the day. Males must be housed individually due to territoriality.
Special Considerations:
• Avoid excessive handling—stress responses are common.
• Provide excellent ventilation to reduce respiratory risks.
• Females require a lay bin at all times, even without mating.
• Avoid reflective surfaces to prevent defensive display behaviour.
• The translucent trait may increase light sensitivity slightly in some individuals.
Taxonomy Note
Chamaeleo calyptratus is one of the most widely kept chameleon species in captivity due to its adaptability, vivid colouration, and availability of selectively bred lines such as the Translucent morph.
Genetics Note
Translucent (recessive): Produces partially transparent skin along the casque, face, and limbs, sometimes accompanied by dark eyeliner and lighter patches around the head. This trait is maintained through selective captive breeding.
Natural variation in colour intensity, pattern clarity, and casque size also occurs within the species but is considered normal genetic diversity rather than distinct morph development.
Estimer la livraison