Publisher's Synopsis
The Panther Chameleon is actually the Furcifer pardalis species of chameleon. These chameleons can only be found in Madagascar, where they have become renowned for their eye-catching and varied coloring. Males can grow to be as long as 17 inches (43 centimeters) while females are slightly shorter, making them one of the longest chameleon species.
The ability to change color is used for a variety of purposes by panther chameleons, including communication, thermoregulation, and camouflage. They use their unique tongue and prehensile tail to catch their prey, which are mainly insects.
Panther chameleons are easily recognizable by their striking colors, which can range from one individual to the next and from one geographical region to the next. They can display mixtures of red, blue, green, orange, and yellow, depending on their attitude, ambient conditions, and sometimes even their age. As a type of visual communication within the species, chameleons' ability to change color serves multiple purposes, including camouflage and the signaling of aggression or submission to other chameleons.
Despite their widespread availability in the pet trade, Panther Chameleons have unique needs when kept as house pets. In addition to a varied diet, optimal surroundings for these animals include enclosures with the optimum temperature, humidity, and lighting.
In sum, Panther Chameleons are intriguing creatures with a wide range of distinguishing features and adaptations that contribute to their overall attractiveness.
