Best Rare Veiled Chameleon Breeds to Collect

Chamaeleo calyptratus, or veiled chameleons, are one of the most popular choices amongst reptile pet parents, and the reason for that is very understandable. The veiled chameleons are vibrant, intelligent, and are one of the friendliest chameleon breeds after the panther chameleon. The common veiled chameleon is native to Yemen and Saudi Arabia; however, there are some rare veiled chameleon breeds that are also found in the United States, Europe, and even in some parts of Asia. For some seasoned reptile pet owners, these rare veiled chameleon breeds are even more captivating because of their looks as well as the diversity that is achieved through selective breeding and genetic mutation.

If you are a seasoned collector or someone who is just generally interested in garnering more knowledge on rare veiled chameleon breeds, then this is just the article you are looking for. In this article, we are going to talk about some of the most beautiful and rare veiled chameleon breeds that you can keep and take care of.

Understanding Veiled Chameleon Morphs

Mostly, the veiled chameleons that are found in the wild are green with a hint of yellow or brown, and these are the range of colors that are most popular in captivity as well. However, some seasoned collectors have been able to breed these veiled chameleons in such a manner that they are able to have veiled chameleons with more vibrancy, having colors such as electric blue, golden, and even translucent. When you have a look at those chameleons, you might wonder if they are a different breed of veiled chameleons. But trust us, they are still veiled chameleons that have a much vibrant beauty added to them with some understandings and efforts by the breeders.

As mentioned, these vibrantly different colored veiled chameleons are not found in the wild and are only a rare occurrence. These rare veiled chameleon breeds are a result of selective breeding that gives these veiled chameleons a specific genetic trait, because of which these chameleons get the vibrant color and special pattern. The seasoned collectors have a great understanding of how the dominant and recessive genetic traits of these veiled chameleons work, and with the help of this knowledge, they are able to achieve these morphs.

Veiled Chameleon Breeds: High Yellow Morph

One of the most vibrant veiled chameleon breeds is the high yellow morph. Now that we know what veiled chameleon morphs are and how the seasoned collectors/breeders are able to breed veiled chameleons in a way to get veiled chameleon morphs, let’s talk about the most sought ‘s talk about the most sought-after veiled chameleon breed- the high yellow morphs. The High Yellow Morphs have very vibrant color hues, including golden-yellow with some blue and green color hues to contrast with the golden-yellow color. They are rarely spotted in the wild and are mostly achieved by breeding and pairing brighter yellow colored veiled chameleons with other veiled chameleons to have chameleons with brighter dominating colors.

Most of these high yellow morphs are males, and although they may appear as if they require some different and extra care, you will be surprised to know that they need the same environmental temperature and care as that of other veiled chameleons. Since these high yellow morphs are rare and are only bred by some specialized breeders, they are much costlier than the normal veiled chameleons.

Rare Breed- Translucent Veiled Chameleons

Yet another rare veiled chameleon breedis the Translucent Veiled Chameleons, and as the name suggests, they are very fascinating and pretty-looking veiled chameleons. The translucent veiled chameleons have patches of skin that are transparent in color, which allows humans to see the skin tissues as well. These patches are mostly scattered on the face or legs, and this gives them a very different and beautiful look. These translucent veiled chameleons are not only different-looking in terms of the semi-transparent skin that they have, but also, the colorful hues are different from those of a commonly appearing veiled chameleon since they have pastel hues like lavender color or even soft blue color, which makes them even more beautiful and ethereal.

Translucent veiled chameleons are a result of a genetic mutation for which both parents must have the recessive genes, and the female is healthy enough to carry the offspring. Just like other veiled chameleons, the breeding is similar, and the eggs are laid in hatches, and if the recessive genetic mutation is overlooked by the breeder, went successfully would result in the birth of translucent veiled chameleons. Just like the high yellow morphs, the translucent veiled chameleons also do not appear in the wild and require a breeder’s expertise to be born. The prices of these translucent chameleons are also high, and sometimes these translucent veiled chameleons are much more difficult to adopt.

The Blue Morphs and Turquoise Variants

Next most popular and one of the most beautiful veiled chameleon breeds include the blue morphs and the turquoise variants. Now that we know how selective breeding and proper understanding of dominant and recessive genes can result in the birth of veiled chameleon morphs, let’s also see another variant of these morphs that is equally vibrant as the high yellow morphs. Unlike the commonly spotted veiled chameleons and the rare high yellow morphs, the blue morphs have vivid electric blue hues, and some veiled chameleons also have turquoise or soft aquamarine tones.

The blue morphs and turquoise variants are often achieved through selective breeding amongst veiled chameleons that already have some sort of blue hues. Some of the veiled chameleons found in the wild also have some blue tones in them, and the breeders chose among the blue-toned veiled chameleons to have selective breeding done among them. This results in the achievement of the soft aquamarine or teal blue, turquoise variants. Many of the blue morphs start displaying vibrant colors when they are fully grown. And just like other veiled chameleon breeds, this breed also has the same temperature and care requirements.

Rarest Veiled Chameleon Breeds- Albino and Hypo-melanistic Veiled Chameleons

Have you ever seen any reptile with a skin condition that resembles that of an albino human? Probably not. The albino and hypo-melanistic veiled chameleon breeds are the rarest veiled chameleon breeds out there. This rare veiled chameleon breed is a result of recessive gene selective breeding and is a result of much careful breeding plan. The albino veiled chameleons completely lack melanin, and as a result of that, they appear white or slightly yellowish in color, while the hypo-melanistic veiled chameleons have less melanin and do not completely lack melanin, unlike albino chameleons therefore they have some skin color and have light color or pastel color hues.

Unlike the commonly appearing veiled chameleons and the rare veiled chameleon breeds, the albino and the hypo-melanistic veiled chameleons do require certain special treatment. These rare veiled chameleons are sensitive to bright lights and are also susceptible to certain health conditions; therefore, they require special environmental control to stay healthy and live long. UVB modulation and shaded basking areas are two of the most important factors. These breeds are extremely rare and are therefore not available for common adoption, and also have limited availability.

What to Know Before Collecting Rare Morphs & Rarity vs Responsibility

We all know how beautiful and vibrant these rare veiled chameleons look, but it is equally important to understand that with these rare veiled chameleon breeds also come some sets of responsibilities. Even though these rare breeds are aesthetically very pleasing, they are equally hard to achieve. As a breeder, you should have proper and complete knowledge about the dominant and recessive genes and should always prioritise ethical breeding. As reptile enthusiasts or someone who wants to add another veiled chameleon to their collection, you should always make sure that you are contacting the right breeder who takes care of their chameleon breeds properly.

Not only do these rare veiled chameleon breeds come with a higher price tag than the commonly found veiled chameleons, but they also might have been a result of unethical breeding. So always do your research beforehand about eh breeder and if the chameleon breeds are legal in your area. For certain breeds, there are certain habitual requirements as well, so make sure you are aware of them and are ready to invest in them.

If you are reptile enthusiasts or are interested in learning more about chameleon breeds, then head on to our page to read more articles. You can also read our article on panther chameleons and how to hatch panther chameleon eggs at home.