Around half of the 200+ known chameleon species live only in one country.
Madagascar is home to both the biggest and smallest chameleons.
Much of what most people believe about chameleons is pure fiction…or rather less than half-truth.
More than one species is known as a “jewelled chameleon”.
The featured individual is almost certainly an example of Furcifer lateralis, which is also known as “carpet chameleon”.
Perhaps the most widespread of Madagascar’s chameleons, it lives in a wide variety of habitats, including urban ones.
Discover more here.
(photo is copyright Doug Spencer, taken on 15 May 2018 near Ambalavao, in the southernmost part of Madagascar’s central highlands)
Many people believe chameleons can change to whatever colour/s, at will, in order to camouflage themselves against whatever background.
That belief is false.
Their spectacular – but not-unlimited – colour changes are usually a means of expression, of display.
Some chameleon species can change colours and colour patterns, and some do use that ability as a camouflage tool.
However, most chameleons’ colour changes are designed to make themselves as conspicuous as possible, as they send signals – usually, to other chameleons.
Click this to learn more about chameleons’ colour changes, and to see some spectacular examples.
For an overview on chameleons, click here.
(the number of “different” species of chameleon is an unresolved debate/ongoing process. Generally, the more recently-revised and “better informed” the source, the higher is the species count)
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Chameleons feature prominently in Madagascan folklore, superstition, literature and music.
Today’s musical selection is a proverbial song about a wise chameleon and a silly dog.
Its narrator Dama Mahaleo (known generally as Dama, but his full name is Zafimahaleo Rasolofondraosolo) has been described as “Madagascar’s Bob Dylan”.
Getting reliable, up to date information on anything Madagascan is nigh-impossible.
As social activist, Dama has been more active than Dylan; he may or may not be a current member of his nation’s parliament, he may or may not currently head an NGO…he has been both…I hope he is alive and well.
As singer-songwriter, he’s “bigger” than Bob….in Madagascar.
Dama is a capable guitarist.
This track’s other guitarist – his compatriot and friend Ernest Randrianasolo, known as D’Gary – is one of the world’s greatest fingerpickers.
…and here is an example of just how phenomenal is D’Gary: