Fun Facts!

It is a common misconception that chameleons of any kind can “change color” to match any situation they encounter. The change in their skin color is, for the most part, affected by temperature, mood, and light.

Panther Chameleon

Furcifer pardalis

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Panther chameleons reach a length of around 17 inches. Females are generally much smaller, about half the size. The males are much more vibrantly colored than the females. While the male exhibits many colors, the female primarily remains a brown to tan color.

HABITAT

Native to Madagascar, panther chameleons live in trees or scrub vegetation. Male colors range from reds to a vibrant blue, depending on its location.

DIET IN THE WILD

They are carnivorous and primarily eat crickets and a variety of small invertebrates.

BEHAVIOR

Males are active and highly mobile, and frequently are seen crossing roads. Females are more sedentary and secretive. Though males fight with other males, they would rather run and hide than fight humans or predators. They often return to the same tree branches to sleep at night. If a predator touches the branch, leaf, or plant nearby, the panther chameleon releases its grip and slides or drops to the ground to play dead or scurry into the underbrush.

STATUS IN THE WILD / CONSERVATION EFFORTS

In the wild, their primary predators are birds and snakes. In 1999 commercial pet trade for the panther chameleon was restricted, due to concerns of their numbers in the wild. In 1998 alone, more than 34,000 wild-taken specimens were exported from Madagascar alone - since 1999, the number has been restricted to 2,000 per year.

LIFE SPAN

Panther chameleons can live up to 10 years in captivity.