acrylic on illustration board 10” x 8” $1,600 Of the 57 or so
species of chameleon found on Madagascar, perhaps none is more
spectacular than the Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis),
which ranges in lowland scrub throughout the northern part of
the island, as well as on several nearby islets, and on Réunion.
They prey on large arthropods and small vertebrates, which are
captured in the typical chameleon fashion, with a projectile
tongue. Since the species thrives in degraded forest, it is one
of the least-threatened of all Madagascan reptiles. Reaching
nearly two feet in length, the males are among the largest members
of their family. The much smaller females are usually colored
a drab pinkish-brown, but the males can be incredibly colorful.
The island of Nosy Bé is famous as the home of a population
of turquoise blue Panther Chameleons, while on the smaller islet
of Nosy Mangabé, the males are mostly a stunning claret
color, like the individual in this painting. |
