Labord's Chameleon
The paddle-nosed Labord's chameleon (Furcifer labordi) is endemic to Madagascar and can be found in the southwest of the island. This species spends the majority of its lifetime (two thirds) within the egg. After a 7 to 9 months incubation period the chameleon is hatching and lives for only up to 5 months. Hatching period is in November, mating period in January - shortly thereafter the Labord's chameleon dies, which means that all adults are dead before the next generation hatches. These circumstances make the Labord's chameleon the shortest living four-limbed vertebrate. The entire population turns over every year.
The male Labord's chameleon is generally green with white stripes on the sides. It has a high, bony head crest and a huge appendage is protruding out from near the nostrils. This horn is used in fights and to impress females. The male is much larger in size than the female. The vivid green body of the female is decorated with violet and blue markings on the flanks.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Furcifer
Species: F. labordi
