Stunning Coloration of Crossbars in NW Malagasy Panther Chameleons

In north‑western Madagascar, Furcifer oardalis displays a basic ground coloration that serves as a canvas for striking variation. Across this base tone, many individuals bear crossbars, often of spectacular intensity, ranging from vivid greens and blues to contrasting reds and yellows. These color patterns are not uniform across the species' range; instead, they are location‑specific, with populations in different localities showing distinctive hues and arrangements.

Such coloration plays a central role in social interactions. Males use their brightest displays to impose themselves on females during courtship and to intimidate rivals in territorial encounters. The combination of base coloration and crossbars thus functions both as camouflage in the forest environment and as a powerful visual signal in reproductive and competitive contexts.