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Chameleon


Chameleon
Photo Information
Copyright: Joe Kellard (joey) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-27
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/25 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): My Photos for my website [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-07-03 1:49
Viewed: 3820
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus), is a large species of chameleon found in the mountain regions of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. It is also sometimes referred to as the Yemen Chameleon.
The male veiled chameleon has a green base color and, depending on mood, this green will range from a bright lime green to a dark 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 over all 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.

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 byVeiled Chameleons are omnivores. While their main diet consists of insects, they will occasionally consume the leaves and blossoms 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. They do not always recognize standing water and may dehydrate if that is their only source.

Female veiled chameleons can produce up to 3 clutches of eggs a year. Each clutch may contain 20-70 eggs. The eggs usually take 6-9 months to hatch. All the eggs in the same clutch will hatch simultaneously, as long as they are incubated together. Female veiled chameleons will produce multiple clutches of eggs, with one male encounter.

Veiled Chameleons are often kept in captiviity due to the fact that they are relatively hardy when compared to other chameleon species often offered for sale.

Thankyou for your comments
haraprasan, Janice, angybone, Matt-Bird, fartash, SelenE, eqshannon, jmirah, uleko, LordPotty, jaycee, marhowie, Jamesp has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To gannu: Greenhousejoey 1 07-04 02:56
To Jamesp: Thanksjoey 1 07-04 00:43
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Joe,
A very good capture. Excellent. Fine details, colors and composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2007-07-03 3:43]

I love this fellow Joe - what a beauty he is. Look at those patterns and colours - amazing capture. I love how he is just sitting there, looking at you, but not worried at all. TFS
Janice

selam, Great shot and very good composition. Well done ! Regards ridvan

Great looking creature! Wonderful expression - he looks almost bored with the situation. (This is a he - I read the note but don't want to make assumptions. ha ha)
You captured some great details!

Hi Joe,
Well seen and captured photo. looks like a grumpy old man. The scales are clearly defined as well as their colours. I like the BG it gives an incite into the enivronment it lives. Good photo,
regards
Matt.

Hello Joe
Very intersting shot of this Veiled Chameleon ,Perfect details,compostion and BG,
Fantastic colors and POV,Superb shot,friend.

Good Luck
Fartash

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
  • [2007-07-03 5:16]

Hi Joe,
Focus, sharpness, details and colors are very good. I liked the POV, the lighting and your eye contact with this beautiful Veiled Chameleon. TFS
Selen

This is something from Central Casting in a Japanese film industry..Does it carry a SAG card?

Highly unusual mini-beast and presented in such a way as to show off what it does best...hide.. yet you still show the chameleon distinctly by its body lines.

Bob

An unbelievable capture...Colors are absolutly amazing...Detail and focus truly outstanding...A very impressive photo...TFS
Jim

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2007-07-03 7:21]

Hello Joe,
I expect you found this at the Newbury Zoo as well. Must be great to see these for real. Fantastic close capture showng great details of the skin pattern and colours, and that eye that's watching you carefully!! Well done!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

Wow, this is a cool looking beastie Joe.
I used to have a Jacksons chamaeleon as a pet when I was at boarding school in London.
It wasn't as weird as this one though.
A great shot with good colours and detail.
You could have given it a bit more colour by poking it in the eye with a pointy stick but I don't think it would have been too comfortable with that. Just a thought :)
Great shot anyway.
Cheers,Steve

Hi Joe, splendid portrait of wonderful chamaleon, excellent sharpness and great details, fantastic colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

Very good detail in you closeup Joe, I like it. Nice exposure,(perhaps a bit brighter) color, and DOF.
Not much you can do about the busy BG, except perhaps to crop, with less space front..
Excellent note, Well done.
Howard

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2007-07-03 23:13]
  • [+]

Hi Joey

A wonderful POV and capture with detailed notes. A very impressive posting.

Where did you find him - trying to think od collections in Oxfordshire
?

James

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2007-07-04 1:18]

Hi Joe,
Pressed for time and the internet is also playing hide and seek. Just tagging this shot and I will come back with a proper critique.
Sumon

* I will come back.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2007-07-04 1:54]
  • [+]

Joe lovely. Have you took this shot in the night as there is little more room for light is needed. This is still beautiful shot. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2007-07-04 7:54]

Hi Joe,

I have never seen a Chameleon before. Great portrait of this one. Colors and details are wonderful showing off his scaly skin. I like his eye. He looks so relaxed!

Jane

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