This magnificent chameleon, which is also known as the yemenese chameleon, comes from the Middle East. Unlike most other chameleons, which live in forests, this species lives on dry, scrubby hillsides in one of the most arid parts of the world.  Other chameleons occur in Africa and the Indian Ocean region, and in Madagascar, which has the greatest number of species and where their evolution seems to have run riot.

Chameleons have a number of remarkable features. One of the most noticeable is their ability to look in two directions at the same time. They can do this because their eyeballs can swivel independently of one another, so that the chameleon can be looking forward and over its shoulder at the same time, for instance. Their brain is also modified to deal with two different images. They also have highly modified feet, in which their toes are fused into two groups, helping them to grasp thin branches and twigs - this is clearly an adaptation to their tree-dwelling lifestyle.

Their tails are prehensile and act as a fifth limb, helping to brace the chameleon when it moves. When it is not using its tail in this way, the chameleon often carries it in a coiled position, like a watch spring. Finally, they have an extendible, sticky tongue, with which they catch their prey, consisting of flies and other insects. The chameleon can extend its tongue to a distance roughly equal to the chameleon's body and shoots it out rapidly once it has calculated the range of its potential meal.

The chameleon's most famous trick - its ability to change colour to match its surroundings- is greatly exaggerated, though. Although they are capable of a good repertoire of colours and patterns, they cannot match a tartan plaid, as has been suggested!  Colour change often has more to do with the mood of the chameleon than its surroundings and males, in particular, make impressive displays to each other during territorial disputes.