Chameleons of Madagascar

Chameleons are among Madagascar's natural wonders, varying in size, color, and head shape. They can be spotted in all Malagasy national parks and even in dense vegetation within cities. About half of the world's 150 chameleon species are found in Madagascar, with 59 species being endemic.

What is the size of chameleons?

It is always fascinating to observe them, especially when they are unusually large, display striking colors, or are hunting. Before your trip to Madagascar, you have probably seen these miniature dinosaurs on television. The largest can reach up to 69 cm, while the smallest barely measures 20 mm. Most of the time, males are larger and heavier than females. Their tails can curl up and act as an extra limb for gripping branches.

Chameleons are multicolored

Their colors range from white to black, including red, brown, yellow, blue, and green. It’s worth noting that chameleons cannot mimic all colors, nor do they primarily change colors to camouflage. Their colors serve as a means of communication: fear, mating desire, and more. They can rapidly change color thanks to their skin, which consists of two layers of nanocrystals that reflect light in the near-infrared spectrum.

Their tongue and vision

Their prominent eyes can move independently, allowing them to see in two different directions (the future and the past, according to a Malagasy myth) and provide a 360° field of vision. When a chameleon spots prey (including various insects, grasshoppers, locusts, small lizards, geckos, and even small birds for the largest species), it precisely calculates the distance and launches its tongue (longer than its body) at an astonishing speed of 20 to 100 km/h. It never misses its target. However, chameleons cannot see at night.

Crests, horns, and helmets

Your trip to Madagascar will undoubtedly allow you to discover the most impressive species if you visit parks, reserves, and zoos. All chameleons have a kind of helmet, a thick structure covering their heads. Some have one or two horns, with the longest measuring up to 3 cm, as seen in Trioceros jacksonii. As for crests, they are rigid and prominent in some species, such as Chamaeleo calyptratus.

The different chameleons

Madagascar’s chameleons are divided into three genera: *Furcifer*, *Calumma*, and Brookesia. The first includes the largest specimens, the second is known for their horns, and the third consists of the smallest chameleons. If you are curious about the types of chameleons you may encounter during your tour of Madagascar, here are some examples:

• Furcifer angeli found in Ankarafantsika National Park (northwest)
• Furcifer antimena found in the New Protected Area Ranobe PK32 and Mikea (southwest)
• Furcifer campani found in Andringitra National Park (south-central)
• Calumma amber, endemic to Montagne d’Ambre (north)
• Calumma capuroni found in Andohahela National Park (far southeast)
• Brookesia bekolosy, endemic to Manongarivo Special Reserve (north)
• Brookesia exarmata, endemic to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park (west)