| Parson's chameleon | |
|---|---|
| male C. p. parsonii "orange eye" variant |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Subfamily: | Chamaeleoninae |
| Genus: | Calumma |
| Species: | C. parsonii |
| Binomial name | |
| Calumma parsonii |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Chamaeleo parsonii |
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The Parson's chameleon (Calumma parsonii) is a very large species of chameleon that is endemic to isolated pockets of humid primary forest in eastern and northern Madagascar. It is listed on CITES Appendix II, meaning that trade in this species is regulated. As with the majority of chameleon species from Madagascar, it is illegal to import Parson's chameleons from their native country.
Among the largest chameleons in the world (variously reported as the largest, or second largest after the Malagasy Giant Chameleon), males have ridges running from above the eyes to the nose forming two warty horns. There are two recognized subspecies: The widespread Calumma p. parsonii reaches up to 68 cm (27 in) in length (about the size of a cat) and has no dorsal crest. Calumma p. cristifer from near Andasibe reaches 47 cm (18½ in) and has a small dorsal crest. Several colour variants are known within the range typically included in the nominate subspecies, but it is unclear if they are best considered morphs or different subspecies (at present, most consider them morphs). This includes "orange eye" aka "white-lipped" (generally consider typical of the nominate subspecies) where the male is relatively small and mainly green or turquoise but with yellow or orange eyelids, "yellow lip" where the male is somewhat larger and mainly green or turquoise, but with a yellow edge to the mouth, "yellow giant" where the male is very large and overall yellowish (strongly marked with dusky when stressed), and "green giant" where the male is overall green. Males of C. p. cristifer are overall green or turquoise. Females of all are smaller than the males and overall greenish, yellowish or brownish (often with an orange tinge).
In captivity, females lay up to 50 eggs per clutch which can take well over a year to hatch. Females only reproduce once every two years. When the babies are hatched they are on their own immediately.