Panther chameleon

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Panther Chameleon

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Chamaeleonidae
Genus:	Furcifer
Species:	F. pardalis

Binomial name

Furcifer pardalis

Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) is a species of chameleon. It lives throughout the island of Madagascar, varying in color throughout the different regions it is found. It lives in a tropical forest biome.

Male red Panther chameleon from the redion of Maroantsetra

Male Panther Chameleons can grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) in length, including the tail, however usually tend to be about 17-18 inches (45 cm). Females are generally much smaller, about half the size. Male Panther Chameleons are also much more vibrantly colored than the females. The different color patterns of Panther Chameleons are commonly referred to as locales, which are named after the geographical location they are found. Panther Chameleons can be a vibrant blue from the areas of Nosey Be and Ambanja, green, red and orange from Diego Suarez and Sambava, and red from the areas of Maroantsetra and Tamatave. There are numerous other color phases as well, as well as large differences in patterns from the same areas. Female Panther Chameleons generally remain tan and brown no matter what region they are from, but there are slight differences in patterns and colors among the different color phases.

Gravid female Panther chameleons.

When gravid, or carrying eggs, females turn dark brown or black with orange striping to signify to males they have no intention of mating. The exact coloration and pattern of gravid females varies depending on the color phase of the chameleon. This is one method in which different phases might distinguished from one another.

Panther Chameleons can potentially live up to a decade or so in captivity. Females, if bred often, usually only live 2-3 years after laying 5-8 clutches of eggs because of the stress it puts on their bodies. Females can lay between 10 and 40 eggs per clutch, depending on the food and nutrient consumption during the period that the eggs were being developped. Eggs can take as little as 5 months to as many as 14 months to hatch. Sexual maturity will occur at 6-12 months depending on the rate of their growth during the early part of their life.

Male Panther chameleon from Nosey Boraha

Male Panther chameleon from Sambava

The Panther Chameleon is very territorial, like most species of chameleons. When two males come into proximity of each other, they will change color and inflate their bodies to try and attain dominance. Often these battles end at this stage, with the loser turning drab and dark colors and retreating. Sometimes these displays will result in physical fighting if neither contender backs down.