Myth 103: “Origin of Adult Males of Panthers Can Be Easily Identified Based on Fired‑Up Coloration and Pattern”
The Claim
Breeders, and many specialists often claim they can easily identify the origin of panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) based on the fired‑up coloration of adult males.
The Reality
This statement is objectively false. While some indications may appear diagnostic, and with deep experience one can sometimes guess correctly, there are so many constraints that the only proven way to know origin is to physically find the animal in Madagascar or its offshore islands. Even then, certainty is not absolute.
Systematics
- F. pardalis is a superspecies, composed of many haplotypes and local populations with varying evolutionary relationships.
Formally one species, but in reality a mosaic of evolutionary lineages.
Some populations (e.g., Nosy Be, Nosy Komba, Ankify, Ambanja, Nosy Tanikely) are geographically close and separated only by thousands of years.
Some populations (e.g., Ankaramibe vs. Brickaville) are likely distinct at the species level.
Critical rule: keep genetics pure, do not mix locations.
The Misleading Term "Locale"
In the U.S., the imprecise term "locale" was established among layman and breeder communities.
It is misleading, often mispronounced, and should not be used.
Correct term: local population.
"Color phase" is also incorrect.
Variability
Some populations remain quite uniform (e.g., Ankaramibe).
Others show remarkable variability (e.g., Nosy Be, Ambanja, Ambilobe).
Some are wildly diverse (Antalaha), producing animals that are very variable, some resemble other populations.
Example: Nosy Be look‑alikes from Nosy Komba; Ankify look‑alikes from Ambanja.
Seasonality
Chameleons' coloraton and patterns undergo seasonal shifts.
Appearance differs in dry/cold season vs. breeding season.
Ontogeny
Coloration and pattern changes substantially from juvenile to adult.
Even adult males (e.g., Ambilobe) can change from one color phase to another over years, especially after cold/resting seasons.
Breeders' Latin
Breeders invent labels ("True Blue Nosy Be," "Blurple Ambanja") that do not exist in the wild.
Selective breeding exaggerates traits not found in nature.
Pure‑blooded animals often do not look like the breeder's marketing claims.
Collection Constraints
Collectors often act illegally, with little education.
They collect wherever they can and mislabel animals deliberately or by negligence to suit demand.
Result: rampant misidentification.
Introductions in Madagascar
Confiscated animals are disposed of arbitrarily (ports, bus stations, zoos)
Coastal Ambanja area near the port to Nosy Faly was contaminated with released Nosy Faly specimens found by police and released by the escaping illegal collectors.
Animals from Ambanja and Nosy Be were used to strengthen the Nosy Faly blood.
Police sometimes release confiscated animals randomly.
Private zoos have admitted to collecting and releasing panthers (e.g., Lemur Zoo in Tana).
Outcome: contaminated and introduced populations.
Exporter Interests
Unethical exporters are not interested in captive successful projects as they diminish the wild caught animals' demand.
Exporters mislabel animals intentionally.
Females are especially easy to mislabel (indistinguishable across populations).
Captive populations are muddled by dishonesty.
Female Blindfoldedness
Females look alike across all locations.
Their origin cannot be determined visually.
Introductions in the Indian Ocean Territory
Panthers have escaped in many teritories (across USA, Europe) but failed to build reproducing populations with the exception of the following areas, where they have ben introduced to:
Mauritius (likely from Tamatave)
Réunion, Mayotte, Anjouan (likely from Nosy Be)
Introductions in the United States
A chaotic mess: partly illegal, partly greedy, partly insane.
Breeders discarded weak animals behind fences; some survived and reproduced.
Some populations were intentionally introduced illegally, hoping they would reproduce and be collected cheaply.
Hurricanes destroyed facilities and houses, releasing animals.
Result: feral chameleons across large areas of Florida.
Local hunters collect and sell them, mislabeling origins.
Some importers even mix wild‑caught Madagascar specimens with similar feral ones, selling all as "wild caught."
Designer morphs are fabricated to squeeze extra money from naïve buyers.
Situation: armageddon shaped by negligence and greed.
Greed and Cross‑Breeding
Breeders knowingly or unknowingly cross local forms.
Offspring sold as "designer morphs" at inflated prices.
Genetic integrity destroyed.
Greed and Line-Breeding
Selective inbreeding and kine-breeding for specific traits yields:
Poor genetics
Smaller size
Poor health
Low fitness
Low reproduction interest
Short lifespans
Conclusions
It is a mess.
The only way to know origin:
Find the animal in the wild yourself, or
Obtain it from a reputable breeder with documented proof of origin.
Historically, this has been achieved by the late Olaf Pronk who collected the animals himself and by BION in 2019.
Sadly, many of those animals were lost due to the RU‑UA war.
Myth Busted:
Fired‑up male coloration is not a diagnostic tool for origin. It is a mirage shaped by variability, seasonality, ontogeny, mislabeling, introductions, and breeder manipulation.
