P8-13 Chameleons.indd
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P8-13 Chameleons.indd
A number of distinctive, localised populations of panther chameleon occur in Madagascar. Females are much duller in colouration than males. females of all the locales are “ typically very similar in appearance and can be hard to distinguish as they all tend to share a very uniform palette of light fawns, greys, and pastel pinks and oranges. A lthough panther chameleons are typically more sensitive than Yemens in their husbandry requirements, particularly with regard to temperature fluctuations and relative humidity levels, the extra effort is well-worth it. Dedicated keepers will be rewarded by seeing the dazzling rainbow of colours and fascinating behaviours expressed by these particular lizards when they are being housed under optimal conditions. Panther chameleons are a sexuallydimorphic species, meaning that mature males and females have distinctly different appearances. The colouration and patterns of adult male panther chameleons also vary significantly according to their locale, which is the regional area of Madagascar where their ancestors originated. The vast majority of the locales are to be found on or just off the far north of the island. In contrast to the males, females of all the locales are typically very similar in appearance and can be hard to distinguish as they all tend to share a very uniform palette of light fawns, greys, and pastel pinks and oranges. ” yellow and red facial markings. One of the first locales of panther chameleon to become established in captivity and now amongst the most commonly-kept and bred in the UK, the Nosey Bé has been selectively bred to create two recognised colour types – the ‘true blues’ and a highgreen variant. ■ Ambanja panthers are also found in two sub-varieties called the ‘red bar’ and ‘blue bar’ according to the colouration of the individual male. This is generally a light sky blue, turquoise or lime green with either deep royal blue or maroon red barring on the body and yellow facial highlights. These particular chameleons originate from the Ambanja coastal district in Antsiranana province and are another very popular locale frequently bred in the UK. ■ Ambilobe panthers are also found in red and blue bar varieties but typically display the largest degree of individual differences and colour variation seen in all the locales. They often have similar barring patterns to those found in the neighbouring Ambanja district to the east - red bar Ambilobe males have vivid red or violet barring on a bright yellow or lime body, while the blue bar males have sky blue barring on a green body and red or orange highlights on the belly, face and legs. Chameleons from this locale may sometimes be sold under the designer name ‘Picasso’ being descended from a type of Ambilobe discovered in the Sirama area by Olaf Pronk, one of the first naturalists to establish panther chameleons successfully in captivity. Thanks to their stunning variation in colour, Ambilobes are also a particularly common locale in European collections nowadays. Ambilobe panther chameleon. Best-known locales The three most commonly encountered locales found in the European reptile hobby are: ■ Nosey Bé (pronounced Nosy Bay), named after the small volcanic island which lies approximately 10km (6ml) offshore from the northwest coast of the Madagascan mainland. Adult males have a stunning turquoise blue body colour with light green and ivory highlights, plus May 2010 9
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