# Panther Chameleon (*Furcifer pardalis*)

> The panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) is a large Madagascan chameleon whose males flash locale-specific colours from Nosy Be blue to Ambilobe orange. Adults reach about 0.5 m, eat insects, and are listed Least Concern.

- **Category:** Reptile
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Coastal forests of northern and eastern Madagascar.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/panther-chameleon/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Reptilia
- **Order:** Squamata
- **Family:** Chamaeleonidae
- **Genus:** Furcifer

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Furcifer pardalis |
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Habitat | Forest edge and plantations |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
| Weight | 0.14–0.22 kg |
| Top speed | up to 5 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Locale colour morphs

Males show island- and region-specific palettes — blues, reds, greens — while females stay tan with orange accents. Eyes swivel independently; a ballistic tongue snatches prey.

## Crickets, butterflies, and geckos

Large insects and small vertebrates are taken with sticky tongues that extend in milliseconds. Colour shifts signal mood, rivals, and breeding readiness.

## Northern and eastern Madagascar

Humid coastal forest, plantations, and garden edges on Nosy Be, mainland coasts, and eastern forests. They are arboreal and rarely descend.

## Pet trade pressure

Least Concern but heavily collected for the international pet trade. Captive breeding programs reduce wild harvest in some export chains.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do panther chameleons change colour to match backgrounds?

Colour mainly reflects mood, temperature, and social signals — not perfect background matching.

### Why are panther chameleon males so colourful?

Bright locale-specific colours advertise health and territory to females and rivals.

### Where is Nosy Be blue chameleon from?

Nosy Be island off northwest Madagascar — one famous blue locale morph.

### How fast is a chameleon's tongue?

Extension can complete in about 0.03 seconds — faster than human reaction.

### Are panther chameleons endangered?

IUCN lists them Least Concern, though collection and habitat loss affect some coastal forests.

---
Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/panther-chameleon/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.