A HABITAT STUDY

This habitat study of a walled garden with a compost heap highlights the importance of patience in observing nature.

Image 1 of 9 in 'Rethinking Reptiles: The Veiled Chameleon' - A Familiar Face

With their distinctive appearance and remarkable behaviours, the chameleon has become a frequent character in children’s books and television, making them arguably one of the most recognisable reptiles today. As an arboreal species, the veiled chameleon lives in the trees of Saudi Arabia and Yemen (Akhtar et al. 2017; Maui Invasive Species Committee n.d.).

However, because of the illegal releasing of captive-bred individuals within the exotic pet trade, populations of veiled chameleons have now also established themselves in non-native regions, including Hawaii and Florida (Kubiak 2020).

References:

AKHTAR, Saeed, Adnan KHAN, Hussain ALBUHAYZAH and Turki ALMUBRAD. 2017. ‘Cornea and its Adaptation to Environment and Accommodation Function in Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus): Ultrastructure and 3D Transmission Electron Tomography’. Wiley Analytical Science, 80(6), 578–589.

KUBIAK, Marie. 2020. Handbook of Exotic Pet Medicine. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell.

Maui Invasive Species Committee. n.d. ‘Detecting the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) on Maui: Enhancing Control of an Injurious Species’. MISC, 1-3.

Image 2 of 9 in 'Rethinking Reptiles: The Veiled Chameleon' - Hydration in the Dry

The veiled chameleon gets its name from the distinctive bony structure on the top of its head, known as the casque (Diaz et al. 2015; National Geographic n.d.). It serves as a crucial function in the chameleon's survival, channelling rainwater down into its mouth to stay hydrated (Tegge 2018). This adaptation is especially crucial for the veiled chameleon, as it lives in dry, arid habitats where water is scarce.

References:

DIAZ, Raul, Christopher ANDERSON, Diana BAUMANN, Richard KUPRONIS, David JEWELL, Christina PIRAQUIVE, Jill KUPRONIS, Kirsty WINTER, Federica BERTOCCHINI and Paul TRAINOR. 2015. ‘The Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus Duméril and Duméril 1851): A Model for Studying Reptile Body Plan Development and Evolution’. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols, 2015(10), 889-894.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC. n.d. ‘Veiled Chameleon’. National Geographic [online]. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/facts/veiled-chameleon [accessed 19 March 2025].

TEGGE, Samuel. 2018. ‘The Mechanism of Biotremor Production in the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)’. Western Kentucky University TopSCHOLAR, 2336, 1-54.

Image 3 of 9 in 'Rethinking Reptiles: The Veiled Chameleon' - The Myth of Camouflage

Chameleons are renowned for their ability to change colour, often thought to be a form of camouflage that allows them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. However, this is a common misconception. In reality, they primarily use colour change as a form of communication between each other (National Geographic 2015).

During confrontations between males, vibrant hues are adopted to assert dominance. Similarly, females carrying eggs use bright colours to deter unwanted advances from males.

As cold-blooded reptiles, they are unable to generate their own body heat. Instead, they adjust their colouration to either absorb or reflect sunlight, helping them regulate their body temperature effectively.

Chameleons are able to change colour by altering the distance between nanocrystals under the surface of their skin. This means different wavelengths of light are reflected.

Canon R5 | Canon EF 100mm F2.8 | 1/125s | F9 | ISO 200 | 2 x Elinchrom One Flash Heads | 61cm x 61cm Softbox

References:

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC. 2015. ‘Beautiful Footage: Chameleons Are Amazing’. YouTube [online]. Available at: https://youtu.be/KJtaIqahi3I?si=Kf_rmVCirEtvIY_S [accessed 19 March 2025].

Image 4 of 9 in 'Rethinking Reptiles: The Veiled Chameleon' - Vibration Communication

Chameleons have limited hearing due to the absence of external ears (Olroyd 2022). However, the veiled chameleon compensates by rapidly contracting throat muscles, producing vibrations for communication. These vibrations fall into two categories: hoots, higher-frequency vibrations (130 Hz to 225 Hz) used mainly for attracting mates; and rumbles, lower-frequency vibrations (50 Hz to 120 Hz) typically used in territorial interactions (Laslie 2018).

This image was created by capturing the ripples on the surface of water when placed in a container on top of a speaker. The speaker emitted tones of 50Hz, mimicking the rumbles produced by the veiled chameleon. The colours within the image were created during post-production. This experimental approach serves as the photographer’s creative interpretation of the vibrations chameleons use to communicate.

References:

LASLIE, Kathryn. 2018. ‘Investigations of Biotremors in the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)’. Western Kentucky University TopSCHOLAR, 3067(1), 1-65.

OLROYD, Savannah. 2022. Independent Origins of a Novel Atympanic Middle Ear System Within Chamaeleonidae. The Anatomical Record, 305(12), 3371-3384.

Image 5 of 9 in 'Rethinking Reptiles: The Veiled Chameleon' - Leaf Walking

The veiled chameleon walks with slow, deliberate precision (Tolley et al. 2014). Using specialised receptors to detect wind, it gently rocks back and forth, mimicking the subtle motion of a swaying leaf in the breeze. This behaviour – known as leaf walking – is a critical survival tactic, allowing the chameleon to blend in with its surroundings and remain undetected by predators (Laslie 2018).

The photographer used a slow shutter speed to capture the movement of the chameleon. Flashes were then fired at the mid point of the chameleon’s motion to suggest both forwards and backwards motion.

References:

LASLIE, Kathryn. 2018. ‘Investigations of Biotremors in the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)’. Western Kentucky University TopSCHOLAR, 3067(1), 1-65.

TOLLEY, Krystal, Anthony HERREL, Michele MENEGON and Christopher V ANDERSON. 2014. The Biology of Chameleons. 1st ed. Berkeley, California: University of California Press.

Image 6 of 9 in 'Rethinking Reptiles: The Veiled Chameleon' - Feet Made For Climbing

As an arboreal species, the veiled chameleon is expertly adapted to suit life in the trees (Tolley et al. 2014). Unlike other lizards, its feet feature two sets of toes, allowing them to grip onto narrow branches. Their long, sharp claws provide further security. Microscopic, flexible hairs on the underside of the chameleon’s foot provide friction in all directions which helps the chameleon to climb vertical surfaces (Spinner, Westhoff, and Gorb 2013).

References:

SPINNER, Marlene, Guido WESTHOFF and Stanislav GORB. 2013. ‘Subdigital and Subcaudal Microornamentation in Chamaeleonidae - A Comparative Study’. WILEY, 274(6), 713–723.

TOLLEY, Krystal, Anthony HERREL, Michele MENEGON and Christopher V ANDERSON. 2014. The Biology of Chameleons. 1st ed. Berkeley, California: University of California Press.

Image 7 of 9 in 'Rethinking Reptiles: The Veiled Chameleon' - A Fifth Appendage

By coiling it around branches to provide extra support and balance, the veiled chameleon has a strong yet flexible tail. The tip contains microscopic hairs, like those on its feet, that provide further grip. Meanwhile, the base of the tail allows enough strength to support the chameleon’s entire body weight (Luger 2021).

References:

LUGER, Allison, Pete WATSON, Hugo DUTEL, Michael FAGAN, Luc VAN HOOREBEKE, Anthony HERREL and Dominique ADRIAENS. 2021. ‘Regional Patterning in Tail Vertebral Form and Function in Chameleons (C. calyptratus)’. Integrative and Comparative Biology. 61(2), 455-563.

Image 8 of 9 in 'Rethinking Reptiles: The Veiled Chameleon' - (Almost) 360 Degree Vision

With its remarkable eyes, the veiled chameleon is exceptionally adapted for hunting and locating prey. Independent eye control allows it to move each eye in different directions, providing it with an almost 360-degree field of vision. This allows it to be highly aware of its surroundings, without the need to move its body or head (Akhtar et al. 2017).

Additionally, it can switch between monocular and binocular vision. In monocular vision, it can view separate objects with each eye independently, while binocular vision allows it to focus both eyes together for further precision when targeting prey (Akhtar et al. 2017).

References:

AKHTAR, Saeed, Adnan KHAN, Hussain ALBUHAYZAH and Turki ALMUBRAD. 2017. ‘Cornea and its Adaptation to Environment and Accommodation Function in Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus): Ultrastructure and 3D Transmission Electron Tomography’. Wiley Analytical Science, 80(6), 578–589.Image 8 of 9 in 'Rethinking Reptiles: The Veiled Chameleon' - (Almost) 360 Degree Vision

With its remarkable eyes, the veiled chameleon is exceptionally adapted for hunting and locating prey. Independent eye control allows it to move each eye in different directions, providing it with an almost 360-degree field of vision. This allows it to be highly aware of its surroundings, without the need to move its body or head (Akhtar et al. 2017).

Additionally, it can switch between monocular and binocular vision. In monocular vision, it can view separate objects with each eye independently, while binocular vision allows it to focus both eyes together for further precision when targeting prey (Akhtar et al. 2017).

References:

AKHTAR, Saeed, Adnan KHAN, Hussain ALBUHAYZAH and Turki ALMUBRAD. 2017. ‘Cornea and its Adaptation to Environment and Accommodation Function in Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus): Ultrastructure and 3D Transmission Electron Tomography’. Wiley Analytical Science, 80(6), 578–589.

Image 9 of 9 in 'Rethinking Reptiles: The Veiled Chameleon' - A Tongue Packed With a Punch

With a tongue twice the length of its body, the veiled chameleon is well equipped to capture prey from a distance (Anderson and Deban 2010). Using sheaths that store energy like a spring, it can rapidly extend its tongue reaching full extension in as little as 0.07 seconds, giving its prey little chance to escape (de Groot and van Leeuwen 2014; Anderson and Deban 2010). The tongue is covered in mucus, which is 400 times thicker than human saliva, making it exceptionally sticky and capable of securing prey up to 1/3 of its body weight (Brau et al. 2016).

In addition to its role in feeding, the chameleon’s tongue also acts as an effective defence mechanism. When faced with a potential threat, it can shoot its tongue towards the predator – often aiming directly for the eyes. This surprising behaviour – known as tongue punching - acts a deterrent, startling or even injuring the predator, providing the chameleon with a chance to escape unharmed (Necas 2020).

References:

ANDERSON, Christopher and Stephen DEBAN. 2010. ‘Ballistic Tongue Projection in Chameleons Maintains High Performance at Low Temperature’. PNAS, 107(12), 5495–5499.

BRAU, Fabian, Deborah LANTERBECQ, Leila-Nastasia ZGHIKH, Vincent BELS and Pascal DAMMAN. 2016. ‘Dynamics of Prey Prehension by Chameleons Through Viscous Adhesion’. Nature Physics, 12(10), 931-935.

DE GROOT, Jurriaan and Johan van LEEUWEN. 2004. ‘Evidence for an Elastic Projection Mechanism in the Chameleon Tongue’. The Royal Society of London, Series B: Biological Sciences, 271(1540), pp.761–770.

NECAS, Petr. 2020. ‘Tongue Punching, an Unknown Secondary Antipredatory Function of the Tongue-Shooting in Chameleons (Reptilia: Chamaeleonidae)’. Archaius, 1 (1), 1–3.

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