Margay vs Veiled Chameleon

Leopardus wiedii compared with Chamaeleo calyptratus

Key Differences

• Margay is Near Threatened while Veiled Chameleon is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Margay	Veiled Chameleon
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Reptilia (Reptiles)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)
Family	Felidae (Cats)	Chamaeleonidae (Chameleons)
Genus	Leopardus	Chamaeleo (Chameleons)
Species	Leopardus wiedii	Chamaeleo calyptratus

Evolutionary Relationship

Margay and Veiled Chameleon share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Margay

NT — Near Threatened

Veiled Chameleon

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Margay	Veiled Chameleon
Diet	—	Omnivore
Average Lifespan	—	5 years
Average Length	—	50 cm
Average Weight	—	200 g

Habitat & Geographic Range

Margay

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Veiled Chameleon

Habitat

Typically found in a wide range of habitat types.

Range

Distributed across Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Veiled Chameleon

The veiled chameleon is a large chameleon species native to Yemen and Saudi Arabia. They are popular as exotic pets.