Winter Without Warmth: How Furcifer lateralis Survives the Cold Highlands

Furcifer lateralis, the carpet chameleon, is one of Madagascar's most widespread species. It thrives in the central highlands, in gardens, bushland, eucalyptus belts, and degraded forest edges. In the warm months it is abundant, visible, and active. But when winter arrives, the species changes its entire strategy.
The climate of the central plateau is deceptive. Days may be mild, but nights drop sharply. In Antananarivo, mid‑winter night temperatures fall to 6°C. On the higher slopes of the Ankaratra massif, they reach 0°C. This cold lasts for weeks. For a small chameleon, it is a physiological trial.
As temperatures fall, Furcifer lateralis becomes scarce. Some individuals die, especially females weakened after egg deposition. Others disappear into the undergrowth, hiding deep in vegetation or digging themselves into leaf litter. They remain inactive for two to three months, entering a natural brumation-like pause. Yet not all follow this strategy. Young animals, and occasionally small males, continue to be active even in the coldest weeks, moving slowly through shrubs while frost settles around them.
This natural cycle contrasts sharply with conditions in captivity. There, temperatures rarely drop below 20°C. Even leading American breeders keep the species too warm year-round and spread this misinformation. The result is chronic physiological stress. Females, programmed to lay eggs whenever the weather is warm, produce two to four clutches per year and die from exhaustion. Longevity collapses. The natural rhythm is broken.

Furcifer lateralis is a highland-adapted species. It needs cold nights, seasonal scarcity, and long winter pauses. Without these, it burns out. Understanding its winter strategy is essential for keeping the species alive.