Petter's chameleon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Petter's chameleon
Male in Montagne d'Ambre National Park
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Chamaeleonidae
Genus:	Furcifer
Species:	F. petteri
Binomial name
Furcifer petteri (Brygoo & Domergue, 1966)
Geographic range of Furcifer petteri in Madagascar.
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Synonyms
Chamaeleo willsii petteri Brygoo & Domergue, 1966 Furcifer petteri — Glaw & Vences, 1994

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The Petter's chameleon (also known as Furcifer petteri) is a special type of chameleon. It lives only in northern Madagascar, an island country off the coast of Africa. Scientists first described this chameleon in 1966. Later, in 1994, other scientists decided it was its own unique species and gave it the name Furcifer petteri.

What's in a Name?

This chameleon is named after a French scientist named Jean-Jacques Petter. He was a primatologist, which means he studied primates like monkeys and apes. Both the common name, Petter's chameleon, and its scientific name, petteri, honor him.

Where Does It Live?

The Petter's chameleon is found only in Madagascar. Its main home is in the eastern part of the Ankarana Reserve. This area includes the Ankarana massif, which is a large mountain range.

Why Is It Vulnerable?

The Petter's chameleon is listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means it faces a high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. Its home range is quite small, covering about 11,000 square kilometers (4,200 square miles) in northern Madagascar.

Sadly, the forests where it lives are shrinking. This chameleon lives at elevations between 120 and 850 meters (390 and 2,790 feet) above sea level. It is threatened by activities like mining, logging (especially for valuable rosewood), and making charcoal. Forest fires also destroy its habitat.

How to Spot a Petter's Chameleon

Petter's chameleons are fascinating reptiles. Male chameleons are usually between 16 and 18 centimeters (6.3 to 7.1 inches) long, including their tail. Their main color is a deep green. They often have white stripes along their sides and white lips.

Female chameleons are a bit smaller than the males. They have similar colors. However, when female chameleons get excited, they can change their colors very quickly! They might turn yellow-lemon with two light blue spots and one red spot. On average, both male and female Petter's chameleons are about 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) long.