Reptiles and amphibians

Panther chameleon

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Identity card

Panther chameleon

Scientific name:: Furcifer pardalis

Family:: Chamaeleonidae

Class:: Reptilia

Phylum:: Chordata

Year of description:: Cuvier, 1829

IUCN Status:: Least Concern

CITES-status:: appendix II

Distribution:: The panther chameleon lives on the islands of Madagascar and Reunion.

Habitat:: These tree-dwelling animals are very territorial and solitary. They can sometimes settle for a very small territory.

Size:: As an adult, it measures between 40 and 50 cm for males and between 20 and 30 cm for females (including the tail).

Diet:: Insects

The length of its tongue can be equivalent to the length of its body.

The panther chameleon feeds on insects that it captures with its tongue.

did you know?

They reach their sexual maturity on average at the age of 8-9 months. Eggs are incubated for about 4 weeks. Females usually lay between 15 and 30 eggs and hide them in a burrow that they have dug. To protect their eggs, they hide the nest site with twigs and leaves.

Where is the animal to be found?

The panther chameleon lives in Madagascar and Reunion Island. It is one of the largest chameleons. These tree-dwelling animals are very territorial and solitary. They can sometimes settle for a very small territory.

How can it be recognised?

As an adult, it measures between 40 and 50 cm for males and between 20 and 30 cm for females (including the tail).

What is distinctive about it?

The panther chameleon Furcifer pardalis can change colour by mimicry. It is a means of communicating with its fellow creatures. This colour change may be in response to temperature, light or emotions such as fear or anger.