Panther Chameleon Tamatave Female

Panther Chameleon

Adult males are differentiated by their larger size, the thickened tail at the base by the presence of hemipenes, and by having a wide range of coloration and patterns. Females are pale green or uniform pink, smaller and with a finer tail at the base. They can reach 23 cm in length.

They lack a vomero-nasal organ (an auxiliary olfactory organ that many animals have), and lacking an external and middle ear they are believed to be deaf. They have specialized fingers in which the 5 fingers are fused into a group of 2 and another of 3 digits.

During the mating season, males display all their colors and complement them with head movements as they approach the female. Females that are not receptive or are incubating discourage males with snorts, opening their mouths, and shaking.

Mating usually occurs from January to May. After copulation, gestation lasts from 3 to 6 weeks. The female digs a burrow and lays 10 to 46 eggs. Then she buries them and tries to hide the place. Some females even cover it with twigs and leaves. This is where the mother’s care comes from. Young people are born independent when they are born.

Their social behavior is unknown, but like most chameleons they are solitary and territorial, with males having more territory than females. They communicate, in addition to coloring by physical postures and certain movements. Females also communicate their receptiveness through coloration.

They are opportunistic hunters as they wait for prey to pass in front of them to catch them with their specialized tongue.

Its predators are birds and snakes. The ability to camouflage with your skin is your best defense, aided by slow movements and even staying still for long periods of time.