Panther Chameleon

This particularly colorful apparition became known in the Netherlands through the advertising of a Dutch candy brand. Although the advertisement made it seem as if the chameleon was camouflaging itself, in reality this reaction turns out to have precisely nothing to do with camouflage! Instead, the color shows the animal's state of mind. For example, Panther Chameleons are brightly colored when stressed, as well as when they encounter a conspecific of the opposite sex. At Paco's research station, the Panther Chameleon inhabits the very largest terrarium. So you may have to search carefully among the vegetation....

General information panther chameleon

Scientific name: Furcifer pardalis

The Panther chameleon is native to Madagascar and some surrounding islands. It moves there in high in the trees of tropical forests. There it captures as much sunlight and warmth as possible, but it is also excellent at hunting insects. The chameleon's eyes can move independently of each other. This allows them to see in front and behind themselves at the same time. When prey is spotted, both eyes focus in the same direction to estimate depth and distance. Then, within a split second, the long tongue shoots out to draw the prey in.