Panther Chameleon

With its distinctive colours and bulging eyes, a panther chameleon is impossible to miss, and impossible not to miss once you’ve seen just how beautiful and cute it is! If you’re curious about panther chameleons prepare to embark on a journey into the forests of Madagascar and captivating realm of this fascinating species.

What are panther chameleons?

Panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) are among over 200 species of chameleons, renowned for their remarkable ability to change colour. These incredible creatures are moderately sized, with males often sporting more vibrant colours than their female counterparts.

Where does a panther chameleon live?

Panther chameleons are native to the lush tropical forests of Madagascar, spending the vast majority of their time high up in trees, where their unique anatomy helps them to cling to branches and blend into their environment.

Chameleons are reptiles and so are cold-blooded, meaning that they rely on the high heat on the rainforest to maintain their body temperature.

We’ve beautifully replicated the humid and warm climate of the Madagascan forests in our Frog Zone at Blue Planet Aquarium.

What does a panther chameleon eat?

As carnivores, panther chameleons have a taste for insects, favouring delicacies such as crickets, grasshoppers, and roaches.

Chameleons are famous for being slow moving creatures, so they must rely on their incredibly long and fast-moving tongue to catch their food.

Their diet is packed full of protein and calories despite only being made up of insects, allowing them to sustain themselves in the forests for up to up to three years for the females and 7 years for the males.

Behaviours and characteristics of a panther chameleon

These solitary creatures exhibit distinct behaviours and characteristics. Males are known to be protective of their territories, while females are responsible for laying clutches of eggs, typically numbering between 10 to 40. Perhaps most famously, Panther Chameleons possess the remarkable ability to change colour, a trait influenced by emotion, temperature, and light intensity rather than camouflage.

Interesting facts about the panther chameleon

Panther chameleon’s feet

Their feet are uniquely designed to grip branches, with five toes fused into a 2-3 formation, facilitating adept movement through their arboreal habitat.

Prehensile tail

Much like seahorses, their tails possess a remarkable ability to grip independently, aiding in balance and stability as they navigate their surroundings.

Changing colour

Males employ colour changes as a means of intimidation, while females darken their hue when carrying eggs, signalling their reproductive status to potential mates.

Eyes

Sporting conical eyes capable of rotating and focusing independently, Panther Chameleons possess remarkable visual acuity. Coupled with their elongated, sticky tongues, they are formidable predators, adept at spotting and capturing elusive prey.

If you’re keen to take a peek at these beautiful reptiles in the flesh, book your tickets to Blue Planet Aquarium now!