Chameleon Erupt in Colour Before Death

Researchers have captured extraordinary footage of a dying Labord's chameleon, Furcifer labordi, revealing never-before-seen chaotic technicolor patterns during its final moments. Filmed in Madagascar's Kirindy Forest, this rare sighting was featured in the PBS series "Big Little Journeys".

Labord's chameleons have one of the shortest lifespans among four-legged vertebrates, living only 4–5 months after hatching, while their embryonic development lasts 8–9 months. The female in the footage had just laid her eggs, using sand to protect them from Madagascar's approaching dry season. Shortly after, she succumbed to exhaustion, as females devote all their energy to reproduction, leaving them with few resources to survive beyond egg-laying.

Using time-lapse photography, the filmmakers documented the remarkable color shifts as the chameleon slowly faded, a phenomenon never observed in the wild before. The researchers had hoped to capture the species' full life cycle but realized one individual was weakening rapidly. Upon returning two hours later, they found her lifeless yet still radiating mesmerizing colors.

This footage provides rare insights into the chameleon's mysterious biology, adding a new dimension to our understanding of color changes beyond communication and camouflage.