Scaly friends count too.
Panther Chameleon
Furcifer pardalis
Also called Pantherchamäleon (German)
From Northern and northeastern Madagascar and nearby islands such as Nosy Be, Nosy Komba and Nosy Faly, in coastal tropical forest. Introduced to Réunion and Florida.123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Large, brightly coloured tree chameleon
One of the bigger chameleons, with fused toes arranged in a pincer grip, sharp claws for climbing, a curled tail and eyes that move independently. Its tongue can be longer than its body and shoots out to catch insects. Males carry the famous bright colours, and these differ by the region (locale) a bloodline comes from.13
Personality what they are like
A territorial, solitary lizard best kept as a display animal. Gentle, consistent handling linked to rewards can make it more relaxed around people; new arrivals should get one to two weeks to settle first.31
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Arboreal and very rarely on the ground. Needs dense branches, vines and foliage at many heights.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Mist morning and evening, optionally with a dripper and early-morning fogger. Most keepers set up drainage under the cage because of the daily water use. Gut-load insects 24-48 hours before feeding.3
Home where they are happiest
At least 60 x 60 x 120 cm (24 x 24 x 48 in), ideally a front-opening mesh cage, larger preferred. Basking 29-32 C (85-90 F), general 22-25 C, nights 15-21 C. Humidity 50-60% by day and 75-100% at night. 12 hours of UVB plus a bright daylight lamp. Fill with live or artificial plants.3
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Insect eater: crickets, roaches, hornworms, silkworms and locusts with supplements. Juveniles eat as much as they want daily; adults get about five insects every other day.31
Company who they like around
The story where it all began
Georges Cuvier described the species in 1829. Its genus name Furcifer means 'forked', after the split feet, and pardalis means leopard or panther. Its colours, size and willingness to breed in captivity have made it a favourite in the international pet trade.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Keepers name colour forms after the place they come from, such as Nosy Be (often blue) or Ambilobe (often red).1
- 2
Its tongue is often longer than its own body.1
- 3
Females that are carrying eggs turn dark with orange stripes to signal they are not interested in mating.1
- 4
Chameleon bones can glow under ultraviolet light, a feature studied in this genus.2
Recognised by the official bits
- The Reptile Database
- Valid species Furcifer pardalis (Cuvier, 1829); studies identify 9-15 distinct lineages that may be separate species2
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Panther Chameleon. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh waterevery day
- Temperature checkCheck the warm and cool endsevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- FeedingHow often depends on species and agevaries
- SupplementsCalcium and vitamin dusting as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- UVB bulb changeMany UVB bulbs fade before they stop glowing, follow the maker's adviceevery 6 months
- Weigh inevery month
- Full cleanevery month
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Panther chameleon - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for range, size, lifespan, body, colours, behaviour, history, IUCN, fun facts
- Furcifer pardalis - The Reptile Database reptile-database.reptarium.czused for taxonomy, distribution, names, lineages, fluorescence
- Panther Chameleon Care Sheet - ReptiFiles reptifiles.comused for care, habitat, diet, social needs, size, lifespan, temperament
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.