Panther Chameleon

DESCRIPTION

Their colour patterns vary greatly depending on their original location in Madagascar, and we thus have different morphologies or colour varieties within the same species. Males have very striking colours, while the smaller females have brown, orange or pink colours. Their tongues are retractable and used for hunting. Their dome shaped eyes, on each side of the head, move independently.

ETHOLOGY

They live in the trees and are diurnal, solitary and land-based. Their colour intensifies when threatened or when two males come into contact, their bodies changing colour and swelling to try to establish dominance. Males and females communicate with visual signals and physical gestures.

CURIOSITIES

Contrary to popular belief, chameleons do not change colour to camouflage themselves. A red background does not mean that the chameleon will turn red. The change of colour in chameleons is a result of their need for exposure to sunlight and their emotional state.