Panther Chameleon Locations And Colorations

*All Geographical Locations Are Given In Approximation

Nosy Be Panther Chameleon Panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) come from the fourth largest island in the world, Madagascar. They typically range on the northern tip spanning from the east and west coastlines. Additionally, some species are found on islands dotting the coastline of Madagascar, such as the Nosy Be and Nosy Mitsio. Madagascar is the only place in the world that panther chameleons exist in it's natural habitat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) What are the differences between Ambanja, Ambilobe, Andapa, Ankaramy, Diego Suarez, Nosy Be, Nosy Mitsio, Maroansetra, Sambava, and Tamatave panther chameleons?

All morphs of panther chameleons are Chamaeleo pardalis/Furcifer pardalis, which is the scientific name given to this species of chameleon. The only differences between panther chameleons are geographical locations (shown on the map above) and color. Panther chameleons are found in territories of habitats on the northern tip of Madagascar spanning from the east and west coastlines and the interior where humidity and temperature levels are higher. Additionally, some species are found on islands dotting the coastline of Madagascar, such as the Nosy Be (pronounced Nosy Bay) and Nosy Mitsio. Each separate geographical habitat exhibits different colors for the species. Think of these habitats as “cities” that spread across a country, where each city has it’s own pigment of coloration that is more apt to be regularly displayed. Scientists are still studying the Furcifer pardalis species in trying to determine why each location has such differing coloring displays. This is why you will find that Prism Chameleons will never intentionally crossbreed across geographical regions. We feel that it is important to preserve their individuality, history, and nature’s true wonder of geographical variation.

You will also find names such as Picasso, Mafana, Turquoise, and Soabana listed by some panther chameleon breeders. These names are typically called “designer” names, rather than names after their geographical location. Designer names have been labeled by the particular importer who caught panther chameleons at certain geographical locations and decided to give them an individual name regardless of where they were found. You will often find the name Mafana and/or Soabana for panther chameleons that were actually located on the island of Nosy Mitsio. All of the names Mafana, Soabana, and/or Nosy Mitsio are actually caught and bred from the same geographical location. The name Picasso is another “designer” name which has actually been of some debate in the panther chameleon world. A Picasso panther has been thought to have originated in the geographical location of Ambilobe and as such, Picasso’s are typically considered Ambilobes by most breeders.

2) Are there color differences between male and female panther chameleons? Yes, regardless of the line associated with panther chameleons, males and females display different colorations and all show variations in color dependent upon mood or physical states. Females typically are browns, grays, soft peaches or pinks (usually at rest, contentment, or if ready to find a mate), and may have small spots that show greens, blues, or reds depending on what color lines are in their genetic makeup. Additionally, females will display colorations vastly different if she is gravid (carrying eggs). During a gravid state, females will display dark black or dark brown with either bright pink or orange variations on their body. Males on the other hand are most likely to be very bright in colorations of reds, pinks, blues, oranges, yellows, greens, or a combination of colors depending on the region they have originated. One of the special aspects that nature has placed with panther chameleons is the rapid coloration changes they are able to display. These changes are typically related to mood that includes stress, health,  rest, contentment, happiness, fear, aggression, curiosity, mating colorations, as well as other states of mind. Panther chameleons will not change colors to blend into their environment as most believe. This is a myth. Changes of coloration are directly due to physical, emotional, and mental states.

Gravid Diego Suarez Female Displaying Bright Pinks and Purples With A Black Background A Prism Chameleon Breeder

3) What are the different color variations of Ambanja, Ambilobe, Andapa, Ankaramy, Nosy Be, Nosy Mitsio, Maroansetra, Sambava, and Tamatave panther chameleons?

Ambanja: Typically the color variations of Ambanja chameleons are light or lime greens, blues, including turquoise blues, and may include red and yellow in various locations of the body, including the face, barring, and eye turrets.

Ambilobe: Ambilobe panther chameleons range from almost every color of the rainbow and most often display a number of combinations of colors. Their colors can drastically change from being a soft green/blue one moment to bright neon colors of yellows, oranges, reds, blues, and greens. They may have a couple of these different colors, as well as have all of them. The best way to determine which color line an Ambilobe panther chameleon may have is to look at coloration in their family history, and even that is no guarantee of which color ranges a particular Ambilobe may have.

Andapa: Andapa panther chameleons may range from oranges, reds, greens, and sometimes a bit of blue.

Ankaramy: Ankaramy panther chameleons come in various colors of pink (sometimes called the Pink Panther). They may exhibit light pink, dark pink, orange/pink, and reddish pink.

Diego Suarez: Diego Suarez panther chameleons are typically various ranges of green, yellows, reds, and oranges. Diego Suarez panther chameleons usually have red eye turrets and can be distinguished from their relatively close colorations to the Sambava panther chameleons by a "V" bar on their torso.  Sambava's typically display a "U" bar.

Nosy Be: Nosy Be panther chameleons are bright blue, shades of greens and may have markings of red or red eye turrets. You may find a Nosy Be with no markings of red at all.

Nosy Mitsio: Nosy Mitsio panther chameleons, also known as Mafana or Soabana are bright lime greens, yellows, and at times exhibit markings of red.

Maroansetra: Maroansetra panther chameleons are typically greens, reds, whites, and maroons.

Sambava: Sambava panther chameleons range from deep greens, bright greens, oranges, reds, and yellows. Sambava panther chameleons can be distinguished from their relatively close colorations to the Diego Suarez panther chameleons by a "U" bar on their torso.  Diego Suarez panther chameleons typically display a "V" bar.

Tamatave: Tamatave panther chameleons come in various shades of reds or oranges with markings of white.

Note: The above locales and colorations are by no means all the possible variants in location and color of panther chameleons.  We expect that new locations and color morphs to be found in the future and that other color combinations may exist. Hybrid variants are also becoming more common in the marketplace, as through the trade process, females can be inadvertently mixed up due to all female panthers displaying the same colorations regardless of where they were originally located.  Also, cross breeding across locales is becoming more common by breeders and by pet owners who have males and females of different locales. Cross breeding across locales may happen intentionally by the breeder or unintentionally due to unknown backgrounds of a gravid (egg-carrying) female.

4) What are the behavioral characteristics of Panther Chameleons?

Panther chameleons are of a solitary type of personality, with some exceptions. In the wild, a panther chameleon views everything as a predator and is constantly on the defense for their lives and thus, behave in manners that exhibit this behavior. Adult panther chameleons, especially males, must be kept in separate habitats as they are very territorial in nature. Typically, panther chameleons get used to one handler (owner) and will respond to them without stress after time. All have different personalities, just as us humans do! I have some panther chameleons that just love to walk up my arm, drink water and eat from my hand, and turn very happy colors when given attention. In contrast, some panther chameleons prefer to not be handled and wish to remain in solitude and only tolerate my handling when I need to do so.

Some panther chameleons may take some time to understand that you, the panther's keeper, is not meant to harm them. A level of trust is needed to be earned. If you find your panther chameleon displaying aggressive or defensive behaviors towards you, give him time! The care section of this site will explain in more detail how to approach your panther chameleon, how to work with a panther in order to gain trust, and have a happy relationship with each other.

Jenna Tynan - Owner, Prism Chameleons and Exotics, LLC