Polynesian rat vs Veiled Chameleon

Rattus exulans compared with Chamaeleo calyptratus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Polynesian rat	Veiled Chameleon
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Reptilia (Reptiles)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)
Family	Muridae (Mice & Rats)	Chamaeleonidae (Chameleons)
Genus	Rattus	Chamaeleo (Chameleons)
Species	Rattus exulans	Chamaeleo calyptratus

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Polynesian rat

LC — Least Concern

Veiled Chameleon

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Polynesian rat

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical coniferous forests, among 4 distinct biome types spanning the Australasia and Indomalayan realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (6 countries), Europe (United Kingdom), North America (United States), Oceania and the Pacific (11 countries), and South America (Chile).

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.