Jewel of the West Madagascar Dry Deciduous Forest

Furcifer angeli, or Angel's chameleon, is a striking yet understated species endemic to the dry deciduous forests of northwestern Madagascar. Named in honor of French herpetologist Fernand Angel, it inhabits fragmented forest remnants from Ankarafantsika to Mahajanga. Males display muted orange and blue-gray hues, while females resemble F. pardalis but with subtler tones. Though listed as Least Concern, F. angeli faces mounting threats from deforestation and habitat degradation. Its presence in degraded habitats offers hope—but also a warning. This species is a living gem of the western forests, a quiet sentinel of a biome vanishing leaf by leaf.