acrylic on illustration board 18” x 24” One of the most variable species of Chameleon is Madagascar's Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis), whose colors range the spectrum, from greens marked with yellow and violet, through browns, grays and oranges—from the pure blue individuals on the island of Nosy Bé to the spectacular wine-colored males of Nosy Mangabé. This small island in the Bay of Antongíl, just northwest of the main island, is heavily forested, much more so than other areas typically inhabited by this species. Another common Nosy Mangabé resident is the unmistakable Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata), which moves through the canopy in groups of up to 16 individuals in search of fruits, which make up the bulk of its diet. Nosy Mangabé lies at the northern extreme of this species' range, and here it seems more social than further south. Incidental subjects here include a Pollen's Vanga (Xenopirostris polleni), Flat-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus), arboreal hermit crab (Coenobita sp.), an orb spider (family Araneidae) and a stick insect (subfamily Pachymorphinae). |
