Panther Chamaeleon

Facts

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

Facts about this animal

The Panther Chameleon is a very large chameleon. Males can grow up to 50 cm in length, with a typical length of around 45 cm. Females are generally much smaller (about half the size). Adult males, in addition to being significantly larger have a more defined “helmet” (casque). This head ornamentation consists of a prominent dorsolateral ridge extending on each side from the occipital region forward over the eye, along the dorsolateral border of the snout to the tip of the snout or slightly beyond (extends into a small shovel-like rostral projection). The rostral projection has slight variations between local populations.

Furcifer pardalis is one of the most colourful chamaeleons, however males are much more vibrantly coloured than females. Colouration varies with location ('locales', named after the geographical location). All males however have a continuous white stripe running the length of the body from the head almost to the vent. The basic colour of a mature female in a nonsocial context is tan, gray, brown or faint green with indistinct vertical bars and a lateral stripe. (metachromatic), no matter what region they are from. When the females become receptive however, the colour becomes a pale, sometimes rich, orange to pink hue and any darker bars/banding lighten and disappear.

Breeding activities occur all year but on the east coast with a more variable climate mainly during the spring and summer (October through March). Courting males will display a brightening of colours with striped coloration standing out (similar in territorial displays to rival males), and begin vertical, jerky head bobbing when a female comes into view. Females exhibit sexual receptivity upon reaching sexual maturity, 2-3 weeks before oviposition (egg laying). The brightening or lightening of colouration marks receptivity. In some morphs, this may involve a decidedly peach-coloured tone along with a reduction in vertical/patterned markings. If this colouration is maintained in the presence of a male it is an indication of a willingness to mate.

Receptive females allow males to approach from behind, with copulation lasting from 10-30 minutes. The female will often turn to gravid coloration during or within minutes following copulation but this change may take as long as a day or two. When gravid or non-receptive to breeding advances by males, they attain an overall dark-brown to black colour with contrasting vertical bars of pink to orange in bold colour patterns, signifying to males that they have no intention of mating. Females retain sperm and may require only a single mating to lay two or more consecutive fertile clutches. They may lay up to 4-6 clutches, with 10 – 40 eggs per clutch per year, but 2-3 is more typical. Eggs can take between 5 and 14 months to hatch. Under optimal growing conditions sexual maturity is reached at 5 months of age (but may take up to 9 months).

Did you know?
that colouration varies with location, and the different colour patterns of Panther Chameleons are commonly referred to as 'locales', which are named after the geographical location in which they are found? Panther Chameleons from the areas of Nosey Be and Ambanja are typically a vibrant blue, while those from Diego Suarez and Sambava are red, green or orange. The areas of Maroantsetra and Tamatave yield primarily red specimens. There are numerous other color phases, and patterns differ between and within regions.

Factsheet
Class	REPTILIA
Order	SQUAMATA
Suborder	SAURIA (IGUANIA)
Family	CHAMAELEONIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Furcifer pardalis
Name (English)	Panther Chamaeleon
Name (French)	Caméléon panthère
Name (German)	Pantherchamaeleon
Name (Spanish)	Caméleon pantera
Local names	Malagasy: Amboalavo
CITES Status	Appendix II
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Tom Junek

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Madagascar (in coastal regions along a line of 2000 km from Ankarafantsika at the north-west coast , through Antsiranana in the north down to Tamatave at the east coast). Also introduced to Reunion and Mauritius and neighbouring islands.
Habitat	Warm and humid coastal lowlands and islands. on bushes, trees and palm-trees. But also in developed areas like gardens, and et the edge of fields. In the mountains up to 1000 m asl. The average temperatures are between 23,5 und 25,5 °C (range from 16 to 30 °C) and the average rainfall/year app. 1000 mm.
Wild population	Population size unknown. Thousands of specimens were collected for the pet trade before 1999. After 1999 an export quota of 2000 animals per year was established. This species seems to adapt well to degraded habitat.
Zoo population	None reported to ISIS (2007), but this species is frequently kept by zoos and private owners.

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 41 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Mark Staub

Why do zoos keep this animal

Furcifer pardalis is not a threatened species. Zoos and aquariums keep these large and attractive chameleons primarily for educational purposes and as an ambassador species for the conservation of lowland forests in Madagascar.

How this animal should be kept

Furcifer pardalis is a very active chameleon and because of its aggressiveness it should be kept solitary. Despite of that, intervisibility to other Panther Chameleons (if kept in terrariums) is possible, because they usually live in bigger populations also in their natural environment, respecting the territorial boundaries. As Panther Chameleons belong to the biggest kind of their species, the size of the terrariums should be suitable. For a fully grown adult the dimensions should be 80 x 70 x 120 cm (L x W x H) at the least. To meet their need for fresh air, the typical terrarium made of glass is completely inappropriate. To assist the circulation of air, wire mesh at the sides and on top of the terrarium is a minimum. Better and even cheaper is a terrarium made of wood with side parts of gauze. If two hours after spraying the entire terrarium, the water is almost completely evaporated, then there is enough fresh air available. The soil should be a mixture peat and sand with a height of 15 – 20 cm. (The height is important for egg laying). To reach a temperature of 28 – 30°C and the brightest light, as well as an appropriate basking spot, HQL respectively HQI – spotlights should be used. In order to avoid burns they should be placed out of reach of the animals. Ultraviolet lamps are an additional but no necessary element of the terrarium, as long as the chameleons get enough calcium. Reducing the temperature by 5°C to 8°C (to 18 - 23 C) at night is important. Reduction of light in combination with reduction of temperature are important factors for initiating reproduction. The furnishing of the terrarium should consist of many branches and twigs to climb including robust live plants such as Ficus benjaminii, Ficus alii, Ficus pumila and Schefflera.

F. pardalis

eats all kinds of insects (house crickets, grass hoppers, crickets, cockroaches, flies, woodlice, mealworms, super worms, wax worms etc.) Excessive feeding with flour worms however can lead to adiposis. For grown up animals there should be a fasting day once a week. Pregnant females may get a baby mouse (max. 48 hours of age) as well. Furthermore thy might also accept pieces of vegetable food like tomatoes, kiwis and grapes.

The supply with drinking water should be provided by spraying the terrarium twice a day (or a dripper). Chameleons lick the water from the plants. At the same time periodical spraying keeps the humidity at 70%. Giving grown animals additional water with a pipette is recommended at least once a week.