Tuesday, 05 May 2020 10:25

Gran Canaria Invaded By Exotic Chameleons From Yemen

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Several veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) have been found close to Arucas, raising fears that the species has gone wild in Gran Canaria Several veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) have been found close to Arucas, raising fears that the species has gone wild in Gran Canaria Wikipedia

Several adult veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) have been found close to Arucas, raising fears that the potentially invasive species has gone wild in Gran Canaria. 

Originally from Yemen and Saudi Arabia, the veiled chameleon reaches 60cm in length and lives mostly on farmland, in large bushes and trees. It is a popular species in the pet trade because of its spectacular colours and size and because it is easy to breed. Newly hatched young are pastel green and develop stripes as they grow. Adult females are green with white, orange, yellow, or tan mottling. Adult males are brighter with bands of yellow or blue.

The velied chameleon is on the list of exotic species that could become invasive in the Canary Islands as it has already colonised parts of Hawaii and Florida with similar climates. It is banned in the Canary Islands as a pet.

The discovery of several adults by local people in the Arucas area suggests that the species is already breeding in the wild in Gran Canaria. The first was found in 2017 and twelve more have turned up since. 

The island's authorities are trying to erradicate the wild population as it is vital to stop them spreading as soon as possible: Each female lays up to 85 eggs at least once per year and lives for five years.

If you find a veiled chameleon in Gran Canaria, or a California king snake (another invasive but harmless species) please call 646 601 457 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for instructions about what to do.

Read 7017 times Last modified on Tuesday, 05 May 2020 10:44
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Tip of the day

  • The Parafarmacia In Gran Canaria Is Not A Chemist!
    The Parafarmacia In Gran Canaria Is Not A Chemist!

    If there is one thing we hate it is visitors being tricked in Gran Canaria. In the past we've warned about overcharging at Gran Canaria chemists, and rip off electronics shops in resorts. 

    In this Tip Of The Day we return to the island's chemists or rather, to the island's fake chemists.

    A chemist in Gran Canaria is called a Farmacia and always has a green cross sign. Farmacias are the only place tobuy medicine in Spain, even basics like paracetamol.

    However, there is another kind of shop in Gran Canaria that looks and sounds like a chemist but doesn't sell medicine. This is the Parafarmacia and it also uses a green cross sign.

    A parafarmacia is a herbal medicine shop that is not allowed to sell any normal medicine such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or antibiotics. 

    Instead, parafarmacias sell herbal alternatives to medicine but don't have to prove that they work and they can charge whatever they want.

    We recently heard from a visitor to Gran Canaria who went into a parafarmacia and was charged 40 euros for a herbal alternative to Ibuprofen. It was only when they read the label that they realised what had happened. 

    To locate a genuine farmacia, see this website and search within your municipio (Puerto Rico is in Mogán, Playa del Inglés is in San Bartolomé de Tirajana). At weekends and on fiesta days many farmacias close but there is always one open, known as the farmacia de guardia, in each municipio.

    Search for the nearest one to you with this tool

    Lex Says: To keep costs down, see this article for the way to ask for generic medicine rather than expensive branded alternatives. 

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