Head to head
Labord's Chameleon vs Oustalet's Chameleon
Labord's chameleon and Oustalet's chameleon are both Furcifer chameleons native to Madagascar, but they represent close to opposite extremes within their genus, one living faster and dying younger than almost any other land vertebrate, the other among the largest and most widely tolerant chameleons alive.
| Labord's Chameleon | Oustalet's Chameleon | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Furcifer labordi | Furcifer oustaleti |
| Typical adult lifespan | Around four to five months | Multiple years |
| Size | Not a notably large species | One of the largest chameleon species in the world |
| Male and female size | Not a defining trait | Females grow nearly as large as males |
| Range | A small area of southwestern Madagascar | A broad area across Madagascar |
| Habitat tolerance | Tied to dry forest | Tolerates degraded and human-modified habitat well |
| Diet | Insectivore | Insectivore |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Labord's Chameleon vs Oustalet's Chameleon: common questions
Which chameleon lives longer, Labord's or Oustalet's?
Oustalet's chameleon lives far longer, surviving multiple years, while Labord's chameleon has the shortest known lifespan of any four-legged vertebrate, typically living only around four to five months as an adult.
Which is bigger, Labord's chameleon or Oustalet's chameleon?
Oustalet's chameleon is considerably bigger, ranking among the largest chameleon species in the world, while Labord's chameleon is not a notably large species.
Which chameleon has the more restricted range?
Labord's chameleon, which is confined to a small area of dry forest in southwestern Madagascar, while Oustalet's chameleon is found across a much broader area of the island, helped by its tolerance of disturbed habitat.