Translucent Chameleons for sale in the UK

Translucent is the trade name for the hypomelanistic veiled chameleon trait, which is also listed as Hypo. It cuts dark pigment, and where the pigment is missing the skin looks clear rather than white. That see-through look is what keepers buy it for, anywhere from pale feet to an animal clear all over.

Appearance

The clear areas show first and most reliably in the feet, so look there before anywhere else. The trade grades animals low, mid and high by how far the trait spreads. A low animal keeps normal veiled colour (barred brown and yellow on a male, mostly green with yellow markings on a female or juvenile) and has distinct translucent patches that may be little more than the toes. A high animal is translucent over the whole body, with paler, pinker colour throughout. The grade describes coverage, not what the animal carries.

Genetics

Translucent is incomplete dominant, which the trade calls "co-dom": one copy shows, and two give the high colour animal. Because the same trait is sold as Hypo, one animal can be listed under either name, and listings often stack Translucent with Piebald and High White on a single line. Piebald works differently: it is recessive. One copy of Translucent is visible, so ask what a Het Translucent label rests on before you pay for it.