PANTHER CHAMELEONS HATCH

AT THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO 

In the Milwaukee County Zoo’s Aquatic and Reptile Center, 18 panther chameleons recently hatched from two different clutches. The first clutch hatched out on July 9, and the second hatched on August 29 in the same exhibit.

As hatchlings, they will continue to be tan and brown in color with patterns, until about 6 months of age. At that time, they become sexually mature, and begin to show more true adult colors – those of blue, orange, green and red.

Panther chameleons are found in the hot and humid coastal lowlands of Madagascar, ranging from the northwest coast of the island to the southern tip, traveling clockwise around the island. They prefer open areas to dense forests, and is one of the larger species of chameleon, with males (the larger gender), reaching up to 23 inches in length. Mature males are easily distinguished from the females, not only by size, but also by color, as they are much brighter. Throughout their range, the colors can be highly variable with green, blue, red, orange, white, grey and brown, with many shades and combinations of this palette.

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