حرباء اليمن

حرباء اليمن; Veiled chameleon
	حرباء اليمن
Conservation status
	LR
التصنيف الفهمي
مملكة:	الحيوان
Phylum:	الحبليات
Class:	الزواحف
Order:	حرشفيات Squamata
Suborder:	Sauria

حرباء اليمن أوالحرباء المحجـَّبة veiled chameleon، Chamaeleo calyptratus, هي نوع كبير من الحرباء تتواجد في المناطق الجبلية في اليمن، عُمان والإمارات العربية المتحدة والسعودية.

ذكر حرباء اليمن، يتميز ب with a characteristically masculine casque. Foot spurs are present, though not clearly visible in this photograph. (Specimen at the Museum of Science, Boston)

The male veiled chameleon is green in color and, depending on mood, this green will range from a bright lime green to a red olive drab. The green base color is marked with stripes and spots of yellow, brown, and blue. Non-breeding females and juvenile chameleons are generally a uniform green color with some white markings. Breeding and gravid females are a very dark green with blue and yellow spots. The prominence of these markings is dependent on several factors including health, mood, and temperature of the lizard.

This species is sexually dimorphic, meaning it is possible to tell the gender of an individual by looking at physical traits. Aside from the previously mentioned color differences, adult male veiled chameleons are large animals. It is possible for them to reach an overall length of 24 inches (60 cm). Most specimens usually reach between 14 to 18 inches (35–45 cm). Females are smaller with the average overall length being just under 12 inches (30 cm). Males and females both have a decorative growth called a "casque" on their heads. The casque of a male chameleon is much taller than the female's. Males also have a spur on each hind leg that the females do not have. This spur is present on males from hatching, and can grow larger with maturity.

An adult male displaying defensive posture.

Like most chameleons, veiled chameleons are specialized tree dwellers. They have a flattened body meant to mimic a leaf and feet specially designed for grasping limbs and branches. They have a prehensile tail that acts as a fifth appendage and aids in climbing. Their eyes work independently of one another allowing the chameleon to look in front of and behind itself at the same time. They have a long sticky tongue that they use to capture their insect prey. Veiled chameleons are ambush predators and are capable of lying still for very long periods of time waiting for an unsuspecting locust to wander by.

An adult female, with a relatively small casque

Veiled chameleons are omnivores. While their main diet consists of insects, they will occasionally consume the leaves, blossoms, and fruit of various plants. This is especially true in times of drought when water is scarce. Like all chameleons, veiled chameleons prefer to drink water that is in drops or on leaves. They do not always recognize standing water and may dehydrate if that is their only source.

Female veiled chameleons can produce up to three clutches of eggs a year, as early from 4-6 months of age. Each clutch may contain 20–70 eggs. The eggs dissimilar to chickens. They retain sperm, which is why they lay so many clutches. Egg-laying sand must be provided for mature females in an incubated bucket or etc. with approximately 8-10 inches of organic garden soil, or they can die of egg binding.

When chameleon has mated with male, 30-40 days egg process will begin, Incubated bucket with dirt and a fair amount of moisture (egg laying process dehydrates your female) and can die f months for eggs to hatch; much caring is needed. After a Veiled Chameleon has laid eggs, a couple days of rest should get them back to normal. For most after-breeders, shedding occurs, within days it should clear up.

For newborn chameleons, Mostly Pinhead crickets are fed instead of larger ones. Separating newborns is useless; at this age they are not as strict about their territory as in order chameleons. After two months of growth, baby veiled chameleons should be separated or can suffer from stress (or even not eat) and can die.

Veiled chameleons are often kept in captivity due to the fact that they are hardy when compared to other chameleon species often offered for sale. Like most old-world chameleons, they must be kept individually in a screened enclosure, and provided with a basking light, and a source of UVB/UVA light. Water should be provided daily by misting and a drip system. Feeding should occur on a near daily basis. Vitamin and calcium supplements need to be regularly dusted on prey offerings. Chameleons grow quickly, maturing sexually in onlyستة months, and so must be provided an appropriately large enclosure. Adult males require at least 24"×24"×48" screen enclosures, but smaller enclosures can be used for juveniles, and can later be used to sun adults outdoors. As with all exotic pets, a qualified herpetologist veterinarian should be consulted when getting a new animal, and when any health or behavior problems are observed.