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Home , Ambilobe, Furcifer, Manambato, Mangaoka, Nosy Be, Panther chameleon

Care Sheet for the Panther pardalis

By Petr Necas & Bill Strand Legend Sub-legend Description Taxon Furcifer pardalis (English) Common Names Sakorikita (Malagassy) Original name pardalis Author Cuvier, 1829 Original description Règne, , 2nd ed., 2: 60 Type locality Ile de France (= , erroneous), restricted to Typus HNP 6520 A formally monotypic with no recognized subspecies, however recent studies reveal many (4 big, up to 11) entities within this species, defined geographically, that show different level of relativeness, some so distant from each other to be possibly con- sidered a separate species and/or subspecies. Historically, many synonyms were introduced, such as Chamaeleo ater, niger, guen- theri, longicauda, axillaris, krempfi. The term “locale” is used in captive management only; it has no taxonomic relevance and refers to the distinct subpopulations named usually after a village within its (often not isolated and well defined) range, differing from each other through unique color- Taxonomy ation and patterns, mainly males. The distinguished “locales” are as follows: , , Ampitabe, Androngombe, Ankaramy, Ankarana (E and W), Andapa, Anki- fy, Antalaha, (Diego Suarez), , Cap Est, , Fenoarivo, Mahavelona, , , Mananara, Maroantsetra, Marojejy, , Nosy Boraha, Nosy Faly, Nosy Mangabe, Nosy Mitsio, , Sambirano, Soanier- ana Ivongo, Toamasina (Tamatave), Vohimana. Captive projects include often delib- erate crossbreeding of “locales” that lead to genetically unidentifiable and should be omitted. Member of the Furcifer.

2 Legend Sub-legend Description Distributed along NE, N, NW and E coast of Madagascar, south reaching the vicinity of Tamatave, including many offshore islands (e.g. Nosy Be, Nosy Boraha, Nosy Faly, Nosy Mangabe, Nosy Mitsio…). Range Introduced in Madagascar at Andasibe, long ago in Reunion and Mauritius (popula- tions might be even originating from drifted single specimens, not man induced) and recently in USA (Florida). Altitude 0 – 950m a.s.l., typically in lowland coastal areas Life Space Macro-habitat Tropical dry forests and agricultural land incl. heavily disturbed habitats Micro-habitat Trees and shrubs, living fences, agricultural plants. 0–10m above ground (babies in grass and low bushes, semi-adults in bushes, adults in Perching Height trees and bushes). In forests (rarely) in the canopies of trees Whole day in the shade of big trees, Morning and late afternoon 1-2 hour basking on a sun exposed branch, Daily Activity Sleeping within bushes and canopies of trees, In case of rain hiding in the middle of bushes or in tree canopies close to stems Not specifically protected. Exported from Madagascar yearly in hundreds to thousands of specimens without visible impact on native populations; protected through difficult IUCN Status accessibility or restricted traffic on remote areas and islands. Living in many protected areas, including Réserve Naturelle Intégrale de Lokobe, Réserve Spéciale de Manongarivo, Réserve Spéciale d’Ambatovaky, Parc National de Conservation Marojejy, Réserve Spéciale de Nosy Mangabe, Parc National de Zahamena and Parc National de Sahamalaza. CITES CITES Ap. II

3 Legend Sub-legend Description Climate Type Tropical humid climate Dry seasons November to April Rainy seasons May to October Climate The climate of the inhabited region is relatively stable throughout the year 29-32°C (84-90°F) at daytime (5-7 degrees less in shade), at night 18-23°C (64-73°F) Temperature Day: 84-90°F (29-32°C) with 72-81°F (22-27°C) in the shade Night: 64-73°F (18-23°C) Humidity Up to 100 % at night all year long, below 60% at daytime Parity Oviparous – egg laying Gestation period Approx. 1 month (3 to 6 weeks), depending on the temperatures and size Egg deposition sites are situated on the ground, often on sun exposed places or in Egg Laying Site shade, typically in sandy soil Eggs are deposited at the end of a shallow (10-12cm deep) tunnel. In the wild: 10-46 Clutch size Captive females lay repeatedly eggs even without fertilization Incubation Period 6-12 months depending on temperatures (the warmer the shorter) Life Cycle August to December, but hatchlings can appear any time of the year, as the females can Hatching Period lay several clutches throughout the year Size at hatching Approx. 7cm (0.51g), depending on incubation Maturity reached At 6 months Maximum size reached At 14-18 months (up to 21in) Mating period January – May, some populations in the NW breed throughout the year In the wild: 3 years Longevity In captivity: females 2-3 (max 5) years, males 4-5 years (max 8)

4 Legend Sub-legend Description One of the largest chameleon species equipped with all typical chameleon features like zygodactylous feet, prehensile tail, independently moving eyes in lid turrets, long General prehensile tail, skin capable of color change, the head with low casque, rough crests consisting of enlarged warty or pointed scales form a bifurcated false horn in males. Morphology Size Males usually 16-18in (up to 21in), females significantly smaller Males possess higher casques, higher and more pronounced crests and rostral horn Excited males show very variable colors and patterns depending on the place of origin, females are usually uniformly brown with a weak pattern. Males have a swollen tail base Diet size Invertebrates usually under half inch size, never over an inch size Hymenopterans (bees and wasps) Dipterans (flies) Main diet Lepidopterans (butterflies, moths and their caterpillars) Coleopterans (small beetles) Orthopterans (locusts, grasshoppers, mantis) Diet Omitted widely avail- Black beetles able diet items Special/occasional diet Snails and small vertebrates like small birds and geckos items Additionally digested Pollen items Dust

5 Legend Sub-legend Description Roundworms Tapeworms Internal parasites Flukes Treatment: Consult veterinarian Symptoms: heavy breathing, visible ribs, gaping, sitting with head up, bubbles in RI (Respiratory infec- throat Cause: arise often in captivity as a result of too high humidity at daytime combined tion) with high temperatures Treatment: Antibiotics to be prescribed by a veterinarian Symptoms: white cheese-like deposits along the jaws, swollen jaws Mouthrot (Stomatitis; Cause: arise often in captivity as a result of injuries of jaws and mucous in combination Gingivitis ulcerosa) with husbandry issues Treatment: Antibiotics to be prescribed by a veterinarian Symptoms: casque and head deformities, rubber jaw, broken bones of extremities, MBD (Metabolic Bone fractures of ribs Health issues Cause: A captive condition resulting from an imbalance of vitamin D3 supplementa- Disease tion, lack of Calcium + magnesium in food and/or insufficient UVB exposure Treatment: proper diet and UVB exposure. In heavy cases - veterinarian Symptoms: Heavy body, inactivity, swollen cheeks and casques, puffy extremities Behavior: Picky eating, slower moving, puffy belly resting on or overflowing branch Obesity Cause: Overfeeding Treatment: reduce diet Symptoms: Inability to lay eggs Dystocia (Egg reten- Cause: arise often in captivity as a result of overfeeding or inadequate care Treatment: Oxytocine and supportive measures administered by a vet, often neces- tion) sary to solve surgically including sterilization (that can lead in masculinization of the female’s appearance) Symptoms: Swollen turrets or their parts, closed eyes, eye opening blocked by trans- parent or milky pus Eye infections Cause: Under/overdose of vitamins or physical trauma Treatment: Antibiotics to be prescribed by a veterinarian

6 Legend Sub-legend Description Individual Cohabiting of adults not recommended Cohabiting of young juveniles up to 3 months of age possible in densely planted cages Caging type with close observation If kept individually, placement cages in a distance of more than 3m from each other with sight contact possible, recommended Day Temperatures: 77-81°F (25-27°C) with basking spot up to 86°F/ 30°C, Night Temperatures: under 60-70° (15-22°C) Cage conditions Humidity levels: nighttime up to 100% towards morning, daytime under 60% UVI: 5-7 at basking spot Female: 18 x 18 x 36in Cage size Male: 24 x 24 x 48in The larger the better for both sexes Cage type Full screen cage or Glass terrariums with ventilation Dense foliage from live plants with extensive network of thin natural branches Freely exposed horizontal branch for basking in safe distance (head and body length Cage interior from the heat source) Caging Bottom with no special requirements, can be from bare to bioactive Light bulb white light = 12 hours per day Heat bulb white light (not red) = according to surrounding temperatures Lighting Linear UVB bulb = 12 hours per day Nighttime: No heat/light source - including blue and red bulbs! Fog (ultra-sonic humidifier) at night (from 1AM till dawn) Morning Mister: Short misting session (2 minutes) 30 minutes before lights go ON; Purpose is to create a layer of dew on leaves for chameleon to find when it wakes up. Afternoon Rain Shower: During rainy season simulate rain shower by switching off heat lamps for 30 minutes and then run misters a couple minutes; Do not bring heat lamp back on for 30 minutes after shower is over. Water management Evening Misting: Wait until all lights are off and chameleon has settled in. Run mister for two minutes to raise humidity. Dripper: best in the morning hours Use cool or ambient temperature water. Do NOT heat or warm water. Do NOT “bathe” or “soak” your chameleon. Provide dense plant cover so chameleon can choose to get in or out of misting action.

7 Legend Sub-legend Description General rule: as variable as possible Overfeeding risk: Usually not an issue, but possible. Consult “Obesity” in health sec- tion for symptoms. Food Food items size: preferable smaller size under 1/2 inch To feed: flies, crickets, roaches, superworms, hornworms, fly larvae, wax worms and Feeding in wax moths, silkworms and silk moths captivity Food to consider: wild bees Each meal: Pollen & Calcium without D3 Supplements Bi-Weekly: Multivitamin mix &(Indoor only) Calcium with D3 Hydration is to be facilitated by combination of night fogging, morning and evening Hydration misting and daytime dripping. Urates to be assessed and in case of deviations, hydration methods to be adjusted Egg deposition The female digs a tunnel and lays eggs at the end. Tunnel is covered with substrate. Artificial: a large container filled with 20-25 cm deep moist (not wet) sterilized sub- strate (sand, sand with soil, coconut soil etc.) Laybin Semi-naturalistic: Fill gallon glass jar with 10 cm of substrate (best is fine sand) Naturalistic: include live potted plants to be the laying opportunities for the females Artificial: eggs transferred to containers with special substrate (see below), filled in 2-4cm layer, eggs are positioned separately from each other in shallow holes so that 1/3 Way of incubation to 1/2 of the egg is above its surface Semi-naturalistic: eggs left in potted plant pot,, water is added if necessary Naturalistic: eggs left in potted plant pot, the plant is watered as usual. Reproduction in Artificial: Vermiculite, Perlite Captivity Incubation substrate Semi-natural: sterilized sand, soil, coconut soil Natural: soil in the plant pot Artificial: Eggs hatch if incubated at constant as well as variable temperatures ranging Incubation tempera- from 20 to 30°C, safest range from 23 to 25°C tures Semi-naturalistic: keep the eggs at room temperatures Naturalistic: temperatures oscillating daily by 3-4°C Incubation time 5-12 months. Lower the temperature = longer incubation Up to 3 months age, young can be kept together, then need to be separated and raised individually Raising the young Food size should not exceed the length of the head Food amount should not be limited: feed ad libitum 8