Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)

ReptileChameleonMadagascar

Overview

The panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) is a tree-dwelling chameleon native to Madagascar, mainly its northern and eastern coasts and offshore islands such as Nosy Be, although one account says it occurs throughout the island. People introduced it to Réunion, and pet-trade introductions have founded populations in Florida.

Adult males are much larger than females and brightly colored in mixes of red, green, blue, orange or yellow, often with a pale stripe along the side. Females are described as tan-brown with pink or orange tones, as muted tan, pink, orange or brown, or as more uniformly pale green or pink, and the young as tan-brown with hints of pink or orange. Ridges over the eyes and snout form a shovel-like projection above the nose. Colors vary by locality: animals from Nosy Be are described as typically blue-green or turquoise, and northwest-coast males as usually bright pink.

A mature male meeting a rival or a female can turn from green to yellow or orange within a couple of minutes, by tuning a lattice of tiny guanine crystals in its skin, and the change is fully reversible. One zoo account gives total lengths of 45–55 cm for males and 25–35 cm for females, another 36–53 and 23–33 cm without naming the measure, and other accounts give adults 12–22 inches or a maximum of 23 cm. Two zoo accounts give masses of about 140–180 g for males and 60–100 g for females, while adults from an introduced Florida population, mostly males, averaged 70.7 g.

Habitat & Range

Panther chameleons live in trees and bushes in humid, semi-humid and transitional habitats from sea level to about 950 m. They occur in relatively intact forest but also at forest edges, in degraded land and plantations and around houses, and they are frequently found in forests and belts of trees along rivers and roads. They seem to prefer open places that are not heavily shaded; one account suggests this helps with basking and with the visual signals males direct at females.

In Florida, introduced chameleons, this species among them, live mainly in suburban and other human-modified areas.

Diet

The panther chameleon is a sit-and-wait hunter that catches prey with its long tongue. It eats mainly insects and other invertebrates and very rarely plant material such as flowers; zoo accounts add occasional small vertebrates. When it spots prey it can turn both eyes in the same direction, giving it sharp stereoscopic vision and depth perception.

Behavior

It is active by day and sleeps at night; its eyes lack the rods needed for night vision. In Florida it uses lower vegetation while active and sleeps higher up, and field body temperatures of 24–36 °C have been reported for normally active panther chameleons in Madagascar.

Panther chameleons are solitary and territorial at any age. Males often defend their tree or shrub with displays and chases that can seriously injure an intruding male, especially in the breeding season, and they display bright colors to mark territory or attract females. Some researchers have observed mating behavior consistent with serial polygyny. Captive studies found that males have larger home ranges than females; females often stay within a small area and are visited by roaming males in the breeding season.

Human Interaction & Conservation

The panther chameleon is heavily traded as a pet, under CITES Appendix II and export quotas, and has made up almost half of all chameleons exported from Madagascar since the mid-1990s; on pet markets its color forms, or 'locales', are often named after Malagasy villages and islands. Pet-trade releases, accidental and deliberate, founded the Florida populations. On Réunion the species is legally protected by a 1989 order, and it is not known to harm people.

IUCN's global assessment lists the panther chameleon as Least Concern (2011).

Reproduction & Life Cycle

Panther chameleons lay eggs. Breeding takes place mostly from January to May, and in some areas females lay several clutches a year. A female digs a burrow, often at the base of a tree, lays 10–46 eggs (12–46 or 10–40 in other accounts), then fills in the tunnel and treads the soil down to hide the nest.

The eggs take six months to a year to hatch — 7–8 or about 6–9 months by other accounts — and the hatchlings, weighing 0.25–0.75 g, are fully independent. They become sexually mature about six months after hatching.

In the wild, panther chameleons typically live 1–3 years, most surviving only one or two years after maturity, though 4–5 and 5–7 years are also given. In captivity a maximum of 5.2 years is recorded, and another account says 6–7 years can be reached. On average, females live shorter lives than males, a difference attributed to the stresses of reproduction.

Sourced facts

Each value below is traced to the specific reference that states it. Open a row's evidence to see the source, where to look in it, and how firmly it supports the value. Sources checked 2026-10-20.

Sourced facts about the Panther Chameleon, with the reference supporting each
Fact	What the source states	Evidence
Distinguishing traits	Adult males are much larger than females and brightly colored in mixes of red, green, blue, orange or yellow, often with a pale side stripe; females are described as tan-brown with pink or orange tones, or as pale green or pink. Ridges over the eyes and snout form a shovel-like projection above the nose.sources disagreeIts casque is shorter than a veiled chameleon’s; males have a swollen tail base. Young are tan-brown with hints of pink or orange. Color varies by locality: Nosy Be animals are described as typically blue-green, emerald-green or turquoise and northwest-coast males as usually bright pink. A mature male meeting a rival or female can turn from green to yellow or orange within a couple of minutes by tuning guanine nanocrystals in its skin; the change is fully reversible.	Sources disagree · Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon', Teyssier et al. 2015, Nature Communications 6: 6368 (University of Geneva), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) — how we know What each reading says females and juveniles tan-brown with hints of pink or orange — Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), range-wide genetic study, Introduction females with more muted shades of tan, pink, orange, or brown — University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon', Florida extension publication females more uniformly pale green or pink — Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), species account, Physical Description Female coloration differs between accounts: tan-brown with hints of pink or orange in one, muted shades of tan, pink, orange or brown in another, and more uniformly pale green or pink in a third. Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Where Animal Diversity Web: Physical Description; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Identifying Chameleons; Teyssier et al. 2015, Nature Communications 6: 6368: Results: Colour-change abilities of panther chameleons, Discussion Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011. Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) Where Animal Diversity Web: Physical Description; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Identifying Chameleons; Teyssier et al. 2015, Nature Communications 6: 6368: Results: Colour-change abilities of panther chameleons, Discussion Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Primary research on phylogeography and color; the range and habitat statements in its introduction cite Ferguson et al. 2004. Its suggestion that most mitochondrial haplogroups could be separate species is offered with caution and is not adopted by the taxonomic authority. University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon' Where Animal Diversity Web: Physical Description; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Identifying Chameleons; Teyssier et al. 2015, Nature Communications 6: 6368: Results: Colour-change abilities of panther chameleons, Discussion Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Extension publication on three introduced chameleons, produced from a 2020 undergraduate course and current to 2022. Panther chameleon facts come from species-specific sentences, but its activity, nest-site and Florida-habitat statements cover the three species together. Its adult length (12 to 22 inches) does not name the measure and cites a captive-husbandry report. The edis.ifas.ufl.edu URL redirects to ask.ifas.ufl.edu. Teyssier et al. 2015, Nature Communications 6: 6368 (University of Geneva), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) Where Animal Diversity Web: Physical Description; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Identifying Chameleons; Teyssier et al. 2015, Nature Communications 6: 6368: Results: Colour-change abilities of panther chameleons, Discussion Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Laboratory study of skin structure and color change in animals maintained in Geneva (captive breeding is acknowledged); the in-vivo color-change observations concern adult males.
Geographic range	Native to Madagascar, mainly the northern and eastern coasts and offshore islands such as Nosy Be and Sainte Marie, from sea level to about 950 m (throughout the island by one account). Introduced to Réunion and established in Florida.sources disagreeThe Mauritius introduction is listed on iNaturalist's authority, while the same taxonomic record also states, in correcting the species' type locality, that it does not occur on Mauritius. In Florida it was first documented in 2008 and appeared established by 2012; Broward County likely has a breeding population, and small established populations appear to exist in several central counties.	Sources disagree · The Reptile Database (Uetz et al.; new species and updates by the Zoological Museum Hamburg), Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon', Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) — how we know What each reading says NE Madagascar and the islands Nosy Be, St. Marie, Nosy Faly, Nosy Mangabe, Nosy Mitsio, Nosy Sakatia, Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Komba — The Reptile Database (Uetz et al.; new species and updates by the Zoological Museum Hamburg), taxonomic distribution list; introductions listed separately northern and eastern coasts of Madagascar, from sea level to about 950 m — Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), range-wide genetic sampling study northern and eastern parts of Madagascar — University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon', native-range summary in a Florida extension publication throughout the island, locally abundant on the central-eastern, north-eastern, northern and north-western coasts — Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), species account Accounts differ on the extent of the native range — most place it in northern and eastern Madagascar and its offshore islands, while one says it is distributed throughout the island and only locally abundant on the central-eastern, north-eastern, northern and north-western coasts — and on Mauritius, where an introduction is reported by some accounts but the taxonomic record also says the species does not occur. The Reptile Database (Uetz et al.; new species and updates by the Zoological Museum Hamburg) Where The Reptile Database: Distribution, Comment; Animal Diversity Web: Geographic Range; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Native Range, Florida Range and Habitats; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Abstract, Introduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Taxonomic record; its diagnosis and descriptive details are currently withheld from the public page. The distribution is a list of islands and 'NE Madagascar' with no elevations; it lists Mauritius as an introduction 'fide iNaturalist' while its comment, explaining the erroneous type locality, says the species does not occur on Mauritius. The query URL (species?genus=Furcifer&species=pardalis) redirects to this record path. Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Where The Reptile Database: Distribution, Comment; Animal Diversity Web: Geographic Range; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Native Range, Florida Range and Habitats; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Abstract, Introduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011. Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) Where The Reptile Database: Distribution, Comment; Animal Diversity Web: Geographic Range; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Native Range, Florida Range and Habitats; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Abstract, Introduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Primary research on phylogeography and color; the range and habitat statements in its introduction cite Ferguson et al. 2004. Its suggestion that most mitochondrial haplogroups could be separate species is offered with caution and is not adopted by the taxonomic authority. University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon' Where The Reptile Database: Distribution, Comment; Animal Diversity Web: Geographic Range; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Native Range, Florida Range and Habitats; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Abstract, Introduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Extension publication on three introduced chameleons, produced from a 2020 undergraduate course and current to 2022. Panther chameleon facts come from species-specific sentences, but its activity, nest-site and Florida-habitat statements cover the three species together. Its adult length (12 to 22 inches) does not name the measure and cites a captive-husbandry report. The edis.ifas.ufl.edu URL redirects to ask.ifas.ufl.edu. Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) Where The Reptile Database: Distribution, Comment; Animal Diversity Web: Geographic Range; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Native Range, Florida Range and Habitats; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Abstract, Introduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Thermal-physiology study led by USDA staff (a U.S. government work). Its size and mass figures are means for ten adults (mostly males) captured from one Central Florida population and held in an outdoor exclosure; the falling-asleep observation is cited as the authors' personal observation.
Habitat	Lives in trees and bushes in humid, semi-humid and transitional habitats, in relatively intact forest but also forest edges, degraded land, plantations and around houses. It seems to prefer open places that are not heavily shaded.It is found frequently in forests and tree belts along rivers and roads. One account describes it as mainly a species of lowland dry deciduous forest and suggests its preference for open sites relates to basking and to males' visual signals to females. In Florida, introduced chameleons including this species live mainly in suburban and other human-modified areas; panther chameleons there have been seen sleeping in gumbo-limbo trees.	Matches source · Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon' — how we know Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) Where Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; Animal Diversity Web: Habitat; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Native Range, Florida Range and Habitats Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Primary research on phylogeography and color; the range and habitat statements in its introduction cite Ferguson et al. 2004. Its suggestion that most mitochondrial haplogroups could be separate species is offered with caution and is not adopted by the taxonomic authority. Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Where Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; Animal Diversity Web: Habitat; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Native Range, Florida Range and Habitats Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011. University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon' Where Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; Animal Diversity Web: Habitat; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Native Range, Florida Range and Habitats Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Extension publication on three introduced chameleons, produced from a 2020 undergraduate course and current to 2022. Panther chameleon facts come from species-specific sentences, but its activity, nest-site and Florida-habitat statements cover the three species together. Its adult length (12 to 22 inches) does not name the measure and cites a captive-husbandry report. The edis.ifas.ufl.edu URL redirects to ask.ifas.ufl.edu.
Diet	A sit-and-wait hunter that catches prey with its long tongue. It eats mainly insects and other terrestrial invertebrates and very rarely plant material; zoo accounts add occasional small vertebrates.Flowers are the plant food recorded. One zoo account names small birds, other reptiles and amphibians among its prey. When it spots prey, it can focus both eyes in the same direction for stereoscopic vision and depth perception.	Matches source · Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026), Assiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022) — how we know Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Where Animal Diversity Web: Food Habits; Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Diet Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011. Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026) Where Animal Diversity Web: Food Habits; Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Diet Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Unreferenced zoo fact sheet; does not say whether its size, mass and lifespan figures describe wild or captive animals. Its diet list and a sentence on captive feeding mix captive and wild information; only the statement on small vertebrates was used. Its weights are identical to those of the Assiniboine Park Zoo page. Assiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022) Where Animal Diversity Web: Food Habits; Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Diet Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Short, unreferenced zoo profile; does not name the length measure or say whether its size and mass figures are for wild or captive animals. Its 'longevity in the wild' of 5–7 years exceeds the other wild figures.
Body size	Males are much larger than females: total length 45–55 cm in males and 25–35 cm in females, or 36–53 cm and 23–33 cm with the measure not named. Other figures for adults are 12–22 inches and a maximum of 23 cm, again without the measure or sex named.sources disagreeTen adults, mostly males, from an introduced Central Florida population averaged 13.6 cm from snout to vent (± 2.5 cm). Sex is hard to tell in juveniles less than 6 months old.	Sources disagree · Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026), Assiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022), University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon', Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) — how we know What each reading says males 45–55 cm, females 25–35 cm — Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026), total length including the tail; zoo fact sheet males 36–53 cm, females 23–33 cm — Assiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022), measure not named; zoo fact sheet adults 12 to 22 inches; males considerably larger than females — University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon', measure not named; cites a captive-husbandry report adults can reach 23 cm — Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), measure and sex not named Adult length disagrees: two zoo accounts give males 45–55 cm (total length) or 36–53 cm and females 25–35 cm or 23–33 cm, an extension publication gives adults 12 to 22 inches, and a species account gives adults a maximum of 23 cm; only one names the measure. Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026) Where Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Size; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Identifying Chameleons; Animal Diversity Web: Physical Description; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods: Animal collection and housing, Results: Thermal limits Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Unreferenced zoo fact sheet; does not say whether its size, mass and lifespan figures describe wild or captive animals. Its diet list and a sentence on captive feeding mix captive and wild information; only the statement on small vertebrates was used. Its weights are identical to those of the Assiniboine Park Zoo page. Assiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022) Where Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Size; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Identifying Chameleons; Animal Diversity Web: Physical Description; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods: Animal collection and housing, Results: Thermal limits Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Short, unreferenced zoo profile; does not name the length measure or say whether its size and mass figures are for wild or captive animals. Its 'longevity in the wild' of 5–7 years exceeds the other wild figures. University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon' Where Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Size; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Identifying Chameleons; Animal Diversity Web: Physical Description; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods: Animal collection and housing, Results: Thermal limits Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Extension publication on three introduced chameleons, produced from a 2020 undergraduate course and current to 2022. Panther chameleon facts come from species-specific sentences, but its activity, nest-site and Florida-habitat statements cover the three species together. Its adult length (12 to 22 inches) does not name the measure and cites a captive-husbandry report. The edis.ifas.ufl.edu URL redirects to ask.ifas.ufl.edu. Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Where Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Size; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Identifying Chameleons; Animal Diversity Web: Physical Description; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods: Animal collection and housing, Results: Thermal limits Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011. Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) Where Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Size; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Identifying Chameleons; Animal Diversity Web: Physical Description; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods: Animal collection and housing, Results: Thermal limits Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Thermal-physiology study led by USDA staff (a U.S. government work). Its size and mass figures are means for ten adults (mostly males) captured from one Central Florida population and held in an outdoor exclosure; the falling-asleep observation is cited as the authors' personal observation.
Body mass	Males about 140–180 g and females 60–100 g. Ten adults, mostly males, from an introduced Central Florida population averaged 70.7 g. Hatchlings weigh 0.25–0.75 g.The 140–180 g and 60–100 g figures come from two zoo accounts that give identical numbers without saying whether they describe wild or captive animals. The Florida mean (± 33.5 g) is for adults captured from an established non-native population and held in a mesh enclosure for a study.	Matches source · Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026), Assiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022), Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) — how we know Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026) Where Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Weight; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods: Animal collection and housing, Results: Thermal limits; Animal Diversity Web: Reproduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Unreferenced zoo fact sheet; does not say whether its size, mass and lifespan figures describe wild or captive animals. Its diet list and a sentence on captive feeding mix captive and wild information; only the statement on small vertebrates was used. Its weights are identical to those of the Assiniboine Park Zoo page. Assiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022) Where Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Weight; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods: Animal collection and housing, Results: Thermal limits; Animal Diversity Web: Reproduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Short, unreferenced zoo profile; does not name the length measure or say whether its size and mass figures are for wild or captive animals. Its 'longevity in the wild' of 5–7 years exceeds the other wild figures. Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) Where Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Weight; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods: Animal collection and housing, Results: Thermal limits; Animal Diversity Web: Reproduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Thermal-physiology study led by USDA staff (a U.S. government work). Its size and mass figures are means for ten adults (mostly males) captured from one Central Florida population and held in an outdoor exclosure; the falling-asleep observation is cited as the authors' personal observation. Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Where Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Weight; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods: Animal collection and housing, Results: Thermal limits; Animal Diversity Web: Reproduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011.
Lifespan	Wild: typically 1–3 years, most living only one or two years after maturity; 4–5 and 5–7 years are also given. Captivity: about 5 years on average, males sometimes longer; a maximum of 5.2 years is recorded, and 6–7 years is also given. Females are shorter-lived on average.sources disagreeOn average, females live shorter lives than males both in the wild and in captivity, which is attributed to the stresses of reproduction and egg-laying.	Sources disagree · Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026), Assiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022), Human Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Build 15) — how we know What each reading says Wild: typically 1 to 3 years; most survive only one or two years after maturity. Captivity: about 5 years on average; males can exceed five years — Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), species account; females shorter-lived in the wild and in captivity around 4–5 years in the wild; can reach 6–7 years in captivity — Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026), zoo fact sheet 5–7 years — Assiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022), longevity in the wild; zoo fact sheet maximum 5.2 years — Human Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Build 15), captivity; from a secondary web source, medium sample size, acceptable data quality Wild lifespan disagrees: typically 1 to 3 years, with most surviving one or two years after maturity, in one account, but around 4–5 years and 5–7 years in two zoo accounts. In captivity, a recorded maximum of 5.2 years is lower than the 6–7 years another account says can be reached. Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Where Animal Diversity Web: Lifespan/Longevity; Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Longevity in the Wild; Human Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database: Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011. Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026) Where Animal Diversity Web: Lifespan/Longevity; Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Longevity in the Wild; Human Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database: Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Unreferenced zoo fact sheet; does not say whether its size, mass and lifespan figures describe wild or captive animals. Its diet list and a sentence on captive feeding mix captive and wild information; only the statement on small vertebrates was used. Its weights are identical to those of the Assiniboine Park Zoo page. Assiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022) Where Animal Diversity Web: Lifespan/Longevity; Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Longevity in the Wild; Human Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database: Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Short, unreferenced zoo profile; does not name the length measure or say whether its size and mass figures are for wild or captive animals. Its 'longevity in the wild' of 5–7 years exceeds the other wild figures. Human Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Build 15) Where Animal Diversity Web: Lifespan/Longevity; Kyiv Zoo: species page; Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Longevity in the Wild; Human Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database: Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits The 5.2-year captive maximum cites a secondary web page (ref. 451, 'Frank & Kate's Web Page'); sample size Medium, data quality Acceptable. No other life-history data.
Activity pattern	Diurnal: active by day and asleep at night; its eyes lack the rods needed for night vision. Like two other chameleons established in Florida, it uses lower vegetation when active by day and sleeps higher in the vegetation at night.Researchers report from their own observations that it reliably falls asleep at dark. Field body temperatures of 24–36 °C have been reported for normally active panther chameleons in Madagascar.	Matches source · Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon' — how we know Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Where Animal Diversity Web: Behavior; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods, Discussion; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Chameleon Ecology Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011. Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) Where Animal Diversity Web: Behavior; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods, Discussion; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Chameleon Ecology Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Thermal-physiology study led by USDA staff (a U.S. government work). Its size and mass figures are means for ten adults (mostly males) captured from one Central Florida population and held in an outdoor exclosure; the falling-asleep observation is cited as the authors' personal observation. Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) Where Animal Diversity Web: Behavior; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods, Discussion; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Chameleon Ecology Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Primary research on phylogeography and color; the range and habitat statements in its introduction cite Ferguson et al. 2004. Its suggestion that most mitochondrial haplogroups could be separate species is offered with caution and is not adopted by the taxonomic authority. University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon' Where Animal Diversity Web: Behavior; Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880: Methods, Discussion; Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466: Introduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Chameleon Ecology Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Extension publication on three introduced chameleons, produced from a 2020 undergraduate course and current to 2022. Panther chameleon facts come from species-specific sentences, but its activity, nest-site and Florida-habitat statements cover the three species together. Its adult length (12 to 22 inches) does not name the measure and cites a captive-husbandry report. The edis.ifas.ufl.edu URL redirects to ask.ifas.ufl.edu.
Social structure	Solitary and territorial at any age. Males often defend their resident tree or shrub with displays and chases that can severely injure intruding males, more so in the breeding season. Some researchers have observed mating behavior consistent with serial polygyny.The social structure is described as poorly understood; captive studies found males to have larger home ranges than females, which often stay within a small area and are visited by roaming males in the breeding season. Males display bright colors to mark territory or attract females.	Matches source · Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026) — how we know Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Where Animal Diversity Web: Behavior, Reproduction; Kyiv Zoo: species page Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011. Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026) Where Animal Diversity Web: Behavior, Reproduction; Kyiv Zoo: species page Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Unreferenced zoo fact sheet; does not say whether its size, mass and lifespan figures describe wild or captive animals. Its diet list and a sentence on captive feeding mix captive and wild information; only the statement on small vertebrates was used. Its weights are identical to those of the Assiniboine Park Zoo page.
Reproduction	Lays eggs; breeding is mostly January–May, with several clutches a year in some areas. Females bury 10–46 eggs (also given as 12–46 or 10–40) in a burrow they dig, often at a tree's base. Hatching takes 6 months to a year (also 7–8 or 6–9 months); hatchlings are independent.sources disagreeBreeding months may vary geographically. After laying, the female fills in the tunnel and treads the soil down to conceal the nest. Young become sexually mature about 6 months after hatching.	Sources disagree · Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon', Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026), The Reptile Database (Uetz et al.; new species and updates by the Zoological Museum Hamburg) — how we know What each reading says breeding January to May; gestation 3 to 6 weeks (2 to 3 weeks in another section); 10 to 46 eggs; hatching after 6 months to a year; mature 6 months after hatching — Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), species account; breeding season may vary geographically multiple clutches a year of 12–46 eggs, hatching within 7–8 months — University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon', extension publication citing a regional reference 10–40 eggs laid in the soil; incubation about 6–9 months — Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026), zoo fact sheet Accounts differ on clutch size (10 to 46, 12–46 or 10–40 eggs) and incubation (6 months to a year, 7–8 months or about 6–9 months); one account gives the gestation before laying as 2 to 3 weeks in one section and 3 to 6 weeks in another. Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Where Animal Diversity Web: Development, Reproduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Chameleon Ecology; Kyiv Zoo: species page; The Reptile Database: Reproduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011. University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon' Where Animal Diversity Web: Development, Reproduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Chameleon Ecology; Kyiv Zoo: species page; The Reptile Database: Reproduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Extension publication on three introduced chameleons, produced from a 2020 undergraduate course and current to 2022. Panther chameleon facts come from species-specific sentences, but its activity, nest-site and Florida-habitat statements cover the three species together. Its adult length (12 to 22 inches) does not name the measure and cites a captive-husbandry report. The edis.ifas.ufl.edu URL redirects to ask.ifas.ufl.edu. Kyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026) Where Animal Diversity Web: Development, Reproduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Chameleon Ecology; Kyiv Zoo: species page; The Reptile Database: Reproduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Unreferenced zoo fact sheet; does not say whether its size, mass and lifespan figures describe wild or captive animals. Its diet list and a sentence on captive feeding mix captive and wild information; only the statement on small vertebrates was used. Its weights are identical to those of the Assiniboine Park Zoo page. The Reptile Database (Uetz et al.; new species and updates by the Zoological Museum Hamburg) Where Animal Diversity Web: Development, Reproduction; University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501: Chameleon Ecology; Kyiv Zoo: species page; The Reptile Database: Reproduction Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Taxonomic record; its diagnosis and descriptive details are currently withheld from the public page. The distribution is a list of islands and 'NE Madagascar' with no elevations; it lists Mauritius as an introduction 'fide iNaturalist' while its comment, explaining the erroneous type locality, says the species does not occur on Mauritius. The query URL (species?genus=Furcifer&species=pardalis) redirects to this record path.
Human interaction	Heavily traded as a pet under CITES Appendix II and trade quotas, making up almost 50% of chameleons exported from Madagascar since the mid-1990s. Pet-trade introductions founded Florida populations. Legally protected on Réunion by a 1989 order. No known harm to people.On U.S., European and Asian pet markets, color forms ('locales') are often named after Malagasy villages and islands; a key proposed in one study could help Madagascar's CITES authority manage the trade in wild-caught panther chameleons and avoid local overharvesting. Introduced chameleons in Florida, this species among them, came from accidental or deliberate releases, and one study notes that some introduced chameleon populations have been 'seeded' for later collection. The Réunion order bans killing, capture and transport.	Matches source · University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon', Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology), Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), AIDA, Institut national de l'environnement industriel et des risques (INERIS): text of the French ministerial order of 17 February 1989 on protected animal species in the Réunion département — how we know University of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon' Where Native Range; Mode of Introduction to Florida (UF/IFAS) · Conservation Status; Economic Importance for Humans: Negative (ADW) · Introduction; Discussion (Grbic et al. 2015) · Introduction (Claunch et al. 2023) · A propos du document; Article 2 (AIDA, order of 17 February 1989) Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Extension publication on three introduced chameleons, produced from a 2020 undergraduate course and current to 2022. Panther chameleon facts come from species-specific sentences, but its activity, nest-site and Florida-habitat statements cover the three species together. Its adult length (12 to 22 inches) does not name the measure and cites a captive-husbandry report. The edis.ifas.ufl.edu URL redirects to ask.ifas.ufl.edu. Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Where Native Range; Mode of Introduction to Florida (UF/IFAS) · Conservation Status; Economic Importance for Humans: Negative (ADW) · Introduction; Discussion (Grbic et al. 2015) · Introduction (Claunch et al. 2023) · A propos du document; Article 2 (AIDA, order of 17 February 1989) Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011. Grbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) Where Native Range; Mode of Introduction to Florida (UF/IFAS) · Conservation Status; Economic Importance for Humans: Negative (ADW) · Introduction; Discussion (Grbic et al. 2015) · Introduction (Claunch et al. 2023) · A propos du document; Article 2 (AIDA, order of 17 February 1989) Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Primary research on phylogeography and color; the range and habitat statements in its introduction cite Ferguson et al. 2004. Its suggestion that most mitochondrial haplogroups could be separate species is offered with caution and is not adopted by the taxonomic authority. Claunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) Where Native Range; Mode of Introduction to Florida (UF/IFAS) · Conservation Status; Economic Importance for Humans: Negative (ADW) · Introduction; Discussion (Grbic et al. 2015) · Introduction (Claunch et al. 2023) · A propos du document; Article 2 (AIDA, order of 17 February 1989) Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Thermal-physiology study led by USDA staff (a U.S. government work). Its size and mass figures are means for ten adults (mostly males) captured from one Central Florida population and held in an outdoor exclosure; the falling-asleep observation is cited as the authors' personal observation. AIDA, Institut national de l'environnement industriel et des risques (INERIS): text of the French ministerial order of 17 February 1989 on protected animal species in the Réunion département Where Native Range; Mode of Introduction to Florida (UF/IFAS) · Conservation Status; Economic Importance for Humans: Negative (ADW) · Introduction; Discussion (Grbic et al. 2015) · Introduction (Claunch et al. 2023) · A propos du document; Article 2 (AIDA, order of 17 February 1989) Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Regulatory text listing several protected species, not a species account; it names this species under the synonym Chamaeleo pardalis (Caméléon panthère, 'Endormi'). The page marks the order as in force; an amending order of 19 November 2007 repealed article 1, not article 2.
Conservation status	Least Concern (LC), global assessment, 2011	Matches source · IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — how we know IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Checked by FaunaHub 2026-10-20 Limits Read from the Red List export IUCN publishes to GBIF; iucnredlist.org itself does not answer automated reads. Categories are reassessed over time.

Not stated here, and why

Movement— no source accepted yet: No accepted source describes migration, dispersal distances or seasonal movements of this species. ADW tags it both 'nomadic' and 'sedentary' without explanation and mentions only males roaming to find females (used under social-structure); UF/IFAS says chameleons in Florida are not known to disperse far from where they were introduced, but of three species together; Grbic et al. and Claunch et al. give no movement data. A 2022 note on panther chameleons using aerial cables in urban Réunion (Herpetological Bulletin 162) could not be read (its AGRIS record returned 404).

References for the facts above

ReferenceThe Reptile Database (Uetz et al.; new species and updates by the Zoological Museum Hamburg)Supports: identity and synonymy (including its comments on color variants and genetic clades), range (distribution list with introductions to Réunion and Mauritius), reproduction (oviparous). Retrieved 2026-10-20.Limitations: Taxonomic record; its diagnosis and descriptive details are currently withheld from the public page. The distribution is a list of islands and 'NE Madagascar' with no elevations; it lists Mauritius as an introduction 'fide iNaturalist' while its comment, explaining the erroneous type locality, says the species does not occur on Mauritius. The query URL (species?genus=Furcifer&species=pardalis) redirects to this record path.
UniversityAnimal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology)Supports: range, habitat, identification, body-size, weight (hatchlings), lifespan, activity, social-structure, diet, reproduction, human-interaction. Retrieved 2026-10-20.Limitations: Student-written account (Riney 2011, last updated 2011-02-13). Its adult 'length' of 23 cm names neither the measure nor the sex. Its elevation fields (1.0 to 7.02 m, average 1.8 m) cannot be altitudes and were not used. It gives the gestation as 2 to 3 weeks in Development and 3 to 6 weeks in Reproduction, and says the species is distributed throughout Madagascar, unlike the other accounts. Trade statements date from 2011.
UniversityGrbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI)Supports: identity notes (genetic lineages), range (northern and eastern coasts, elevation, introductions to Réunion and Mauritius), habitat, identification (sexual dimorphism and colors), activity (diurnal), human-interaction (pet markets, 'locales', trade management). Retrieved 2026-10-20.Limitations: Primary research on phylogeography and color; the range and habitat statements in its introduction cite Ferguson et al. 2004. Its suggestion that most mitochondrial haplogroups could be separate species is offered with caution and is not adopted by the taxonomic authority.
UniversityTeyssier et al. 2015, Nature Communications 6: 6368 (University of Geneva), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI)Supports: identification (how and how fast mature males change color). Retrieved 2026-10-20.Limitations: Laboratory study of skin structure and color change in animals maintained in Geneva (captive breeding is acknowledged); the in-vivo color-change observations concern adult males.
GovernmentClaunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI)Supports: range (native range; established Florida populations, earliest report 2008), activity (diurnal, asleep at dark; field body temperatures in Madagascar), body-size and weight (a Florida sample), human-interaction (populations seeded for collection). Retrieved 2026-10-20.Limitations: Thermal-physiology study led by USDA staff (a U.S. government work). Its size and mass figures are means for ten adults (mostly males) captured from one Central Florida population and held in an outdoor exclosure; the falling-asleep observation is cited as the authors' personal observation.
UniversityUniversity of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon'Supports: identification, body-size, range (native and Florida), habitat, activity, reproduction, human-interaction. Retrieved 2026-10-20.Limitations: Extension publication on three introduced chameleons, produced from a 2020 undergraduate course and current to 2022. Panther chameleon facts come from species-specific sentences, but its activity, nest-site and Florida-habitat statements cover the three species together. Its adult length (12 to 22 inches) does not name the measure and cites a captive-husbandry report. The edis.ifas.ufl.edu URL redirects to ask.ifas.ufl.edu.
Wildlife referenceKyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026)Supports: body-size (total length by sex), weight, lifespan, reproduction, social-structure, diet. Retrieved 2026-10-20.Limitations: Unreferenced zoo fact sheet; does not say whether its size, mass and lifespan figures describe wild or captive animals. Its diet list and a sentence on captive feeding mix captive and wild information; only the statement on small vertebrates was used. Its weights are identical to those of the Assiniboine Park Zoo page.
Wildlife referenceAssiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022)Supports: body-size and weight by sex, lifespan (wild), diet. Retrieved 2026-10-20.Limitations: Short, unreferenced zoo profile; does not name the length measure or say whether its size and mass figures are for wild or captive animals. Its 'longevity in the wild' of 5–7 years exceeds the other wild figures.
ReferenceHuman Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Build 15)Supports: lifespan (captive maximum). Retrieved 2026-10-20.Limitations: The 5.2-year captive maximum cites a secondary web page (ref. 451, 'Frank & Kate's Web Page'); sample size Medium, data quality Acceptable. No other life-history data.
GovernmentAIDA, Institut national de l'environnement industriel et des risques (INERIS): text of the French ministerial order of 17 February 1989 on protected animal species in the Réunion départementSupports: human-interaction (legal protection on Réunion). Retrieved 2026-10-20.Limitations: Regulatory text listing several protected species, not a species account; it names this species under the synonym Chamaeleo pardalis (Caméléon panthère, 'Endormi'). The page marks the order as in force; an amending order of 19 November 2007 repealed article 1, not article 2.
ReferenceIUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesSupports: The global Red List category and the year of the assessment. Retrieved 2026-10-20.Limitations: Read from the Red List export IUCN publishes to GBIF; iucnredlist.org itself does not answer automated reads. Categories are reassessed over time.

Frequently Asked Questions — Panther Chameleon

How fast can a panther chameleon change color?

Within a couple of minutes. A mature male meeting a rival or a female can shift from green to yellow or orange by tuning tiny guanine crystals in its skin, and the change is fully reversible.

Do male and female panther chameleons look different?

Yes. Males are much larger and brightly colored in reds, greens, blues, oranges or yellows, while females are described as tan-brown with pink or orange tones, as muted tan, pink, orange or brown, or as pale green or pink.

Where do panther chameleons live in the wild?

In Madagascar, mainly along the northern and eastern coasts and on offshore islands such as Nosy Be, from sea level to about 950 m, though one account says it occurs throughout the island. Introduced populations live on Réunion and in Florida.

How long do panther chameleons live?

Typically 1–3 years in the wild, though 4–5 and 5–7 years are also given. A captive maximum of 5.2 years is recorded, though another account says 6–7 years can be reached, and on average females live shorter lives than males.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.

ReferenceThe Reptile Database (Uetz et al.; new species and updates by the Zoological Museum Hamburg) — Furcifer pardalis taxonomic record — identity and synonymy (including its comments on color variants and genetic clades), range (distribution list with introductions to Réunion and Mauritius), reproduction (oviparous)
UniversityAnimal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) — Furcifer pardalis (panther chameleon) species account — range, habitat, identification, body-size, weight (hatchlings), lifespan, activity, social-structure, diet, reproduction, human-interaction
UniversityGrbic et al. 2015, Molecular Ecology 24: 3455–3466 (University of Geneva with Malagasy co-authors), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) — Grbic et al. 2015, color and phylogeography of panther chameleons (open-access full text) — identity notes (genetic lineages), range (northern and eastern coasts, elevation, introductions to Réunion and Mauritius), habitat, identification (sexual dimorphism and colors), activity (diurnal), human-interaction (pet markets, 'locales', trade management)
UniversityTeyssier et al. 2015, Nature Communications 6: 6368 (University of Geneva), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) — Teyssier et al. 2015, how panther chameleons change color (open-access full text) — identification (how and how fast mature males change color)
GovernmentClaunch et al. 2023, Scientific Reports 13: 15880 (USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History), open-access full text via Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) — Claunch et al. 2023, thermal biology of introduced panther chameleons (open-access full text) — range (native range; established Florida populations, earliest report 2008), activity (diurnal, asleep at dark; field body temperatures in Madagascar), body-size and weight (a Florida sample), human-interaction (populations seeded for collection)
UniversityUniversity of Florida IFAS Extension, EDIS publication WEC456/UW501 (S. A. Johnson), 'Florida's Introduced Reptiles: Veiled Chameleon, Oustalet's Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon' — Florida's introduced reptiles: veiled, Oustalet's and panther chameleons — identification, body-size, range (native and Florida), habitat, activity, reproduction, human-interaction
Wildlife referenceKyiv Zoo (Kyiv, Ukraine), species page in its 'interesting information' series (2026) — Panther chameleon fact sheet — body-size (total length by sex), weight, lifespan, reproduction, social-structure, diet
Wildlife referenceAssiniboine Park Conservancy (Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg), 'Creature Feature: Panther Chameleon' (2022) — Creature feature: panther chameleon — body-size and weight by sex, lifespan (wild), diet
ReferenceHuman Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Build 15) — Furcifer pardalis longevity entry — lifespan (captive maximum)
GovernmentAIDA, Institut national de l'environnement industriel et des risques (INERIS): text of the French ministerial order of 17 February 1989 on protected animal species in the Réunion département — Order of 17 February 1989 protecting animal species in Réunion — human-interaction (legal protection on Réunion)
ReferenceIUCN Red List — Furcifer pardalis assessment — The global Red List category and the year of the assessment