Parson Chameleon

The Parson’s chameleon is one of the world’s largest chameleons and is named in after a British physician named James Parsons, born in 1705. This chameleon captures its prey by shooting out its long, sticky tongue and using it as a suction cup. As with all chameleons, this beautiful species can change color in response to their surroundings, temperature and when they are in the presence of other chameleons, especially during mating or fighting. Their slow movement and camouflage enable the predators to catch prey off-guard. Sadly, this species is near threatened with extinction. The population of Parson’s chameleon has declined by 20% in less than two decades. This decline is mainly due to habitat loss driven by slash-and burn agriculture and logging. Their habitat is fragmented and the fragments are unlikely to be viable enough for this stunning species to survive.