Meet the animals
The Animal Lady’s colour-changing climber is a two-year-old veiled chameleon with a personality all his own.
A little about Diego
Veiled chameleons come from Yemen, where they live in warm environments and climb among trees and plants. Diego has a carefully created home where he can climb, explore, bask and hide.
His specially adapted feet grip branches, while his prehensile tail helps him balance as he moves. He loves being up high and exploring his surroundings.
And Diego isn’t shy
Veiled chameleons can have a reputation for being grumpy or territorial, but Diego is a particularly friendly boy. He has formed a special bond with Nichola and often seems to know when she is nearby.
When she walks past his vivarium, he will often come right up to the glass, as though asking:
“Are you coming to get me out?”
It is a lovely reminder that animals can have their own personalities, preferences and relationships.
Look a little closer
His colours, tongue, eyes and climbing skills each tell us something about life as a chameleon.
Changing colour is about more than camouflage. When Diego feels cross or threatened, dark or black spots can appear and he may stretch out his body to look bigger, as if to say, “Back off — I’m bigger than I look!”
When he is relaxed and happy, he may show brighter colours, including yellow and turquoise. Watching his colours and body language helps us understand how he is feeling and when he needs space.
Diego is an insectivore, which means he eats live insects. Suitable feeder insects such as locusts and crickets provide the nutrients he needs to stay healthy.
To catch a meal, his tongue shoots out incredibly quickly. A sticky, muscular pad at its tip helps grab the insect before it escapes.
Diego’s eyes can move independently, so he can look in two directions at the same time. Imagine watching what is in front of you while keeping an eye on something behind!
This wide view helps chameleons spot both potential prey and predators in their surroundings.
Diego’s special place
From his gripping feet and independently moving eyes to his changing colours and lightning-fast tongue, Diego gives us a wonderful way to learn about reptiles and the adaptations that help them thrive.
His bond with Nichola also shows how much we can discover when we take time to notice an animal’s individual character. Come and meet Diego and see just how incredible a chameleon can be.
Meeting animals up close can help us understand them, respect them and appreciate the world we share with them.
Come and meet us
Tell Nichola about your setting, your group and what you’d like to explore.
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