Editing Veiled chameleon (section)

==Invasive species==
This chameleon is an [[introduced species]] in [[Hawaii]], where it is [[invasive species|invasive]] to the local [[ecosystem]]. There is a breeding population established on [[Maui]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/files/2013/03/Duffy-Chameleon-1st-Progress-Report.pdf |title=Detecting the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) on Maui: Enhancing Control of an Injurious Species. First Progress Report |publisher=Maui Invasive Species Committee |year=2013 }}</ref> It can also be found in the wild in [[Florida]], where escaped pets have established populations.<ref name=iucn/> 

Since veiled chameleons are becoming an [[invasive species]], they are affecting many native species in Hawaii.  This chameleon mainly attacks native Hawaiian insects such as the [[Scotorythra paludicola|koa looper moth]] and the [[Bunaea alcinoe|cabbage tree emperor moth]]. These chameleons are also eating native plants as well such as lehua, [[Acacia koa|koa]], and hala. These chameleons are also eating small lizards such as the [[Lepidodactylus lugubris|mourning gecko]] and the [[gold dust day gecko]] . 

Veiled chameleons are able to lay 30–95 eggs and they are able to lay these eggs three times a year thus making it very fast for them to reproduce. These eggs only take six months to hatch. Veiled chameleons can live up to 4–8 years. 

They are becoming a major concern due to their ability to reproduce fast, and their ability to prey upon native Hawaiian birds, and insects.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Characterizing the Annual Reproductive Cycles of Captive Male Veiled Chameleons (Chamaeleo Calyptratus) and Panther Chameleons (Furcifer Pardalis) |url=https://meridian.allenpress.com/jhms/article-abstract/33/1/45/489701/Characterizing-the-Annual-Reproductive-Cycles-of |first1=Sean M. |last1=Perry |first2=Sarah R. |last2=Camlic |first3=Ian |last3=Konsker |first4=Michael |last4=Lierz |first5=Mark A. |last5=Mitchell |journal=Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery |volume=33 |issue=1 |date=2023|pages=45{{ndash}}60 |doi=10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00037 |s2cid=255289885 |access-date=2023-04-14 |url-status=live |archive-date=2023-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414050331/https://meridian.allenpress.com/jhms/article-abstract/33/1/45/489701/Characterizing-the-Annual-Reproductive-Cycles-of|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Since veiled chameleons are able to adapt pretty well since they are able to tolerate living areas that can range from dry sea level elevation to wet montane areas up to 12,000 feet elevation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Veiled chameleon- Hawaii Early Detection Network |url=http://www.reportapest.org/pestlist/chacal.htm#:~:text=The%20veiled%20chameleon%20is%20found,birds,%20insects,%20and%20vegetation. |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=www.reportapest.org}}</ref> 

Efforts are being made to control the population of veiled chameleons in Hawaii. One approach is to capture and remove the chameleons from the wild, mainly in areas that have established breeding populations. There are also educational programs to discourage the release of non-native species in the wild.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-02-21 |title=Veiled Chameleon |url=https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/invasive-species-profiles/veiled-chameleon/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Hawaii Invasive Species Council |language=en}}</ref>

The introduction of veiled chameleons in Hawaii has a negative impact on Hawaii's ecosystem. Since the veiled chameleons are generalist predators, compete with native species, and breed rapidly which can lead to [[overpopulation]]. Effective measures are necessary in order to control the overpopulation of veiled chameleons. 

In 1992, under Title 4, Chapter 71, Section 13.5 of the Hawaii Administrative rules it was made illegal to import, possess, or transport, veiled chameleons without a permit. This law helps the Hawaii Department of Agriculture regulate the further introduction of invasive species.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Invasion of the Coneheads Veiled Chameleons |url=http://hawaiinaturejournal.weebly.com/1/post/2014/03/invasion-of-the-coneheads-veiled-chameleons.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Hawaii Nature Journal |language=en}}</ref> The importation and possession of veiled chameleon can have negative impacts on Hawaii's [[ecosystem]] and [[biodiversity]]. Enforcement of this regulation helps protect Hawaii's natural resources, preserve the unique cultural, and ecological heritage of the islands. There are penalties for violation this regulation. Penalties can include fines, [[imprisonment]], and the [[confiscation]] and removal of the prohibited species.