After a total period of 100 years without any sightings, an elusive chameleon species native to Madagascar has finally been rediscovered by researchers recently. According to a report, scientists that are from Madagascar and also Germany said, that they have discovered several living specimens of the one and only “Furcifer voeltzkowi” or better known as the “Voeltzkow’s chameleon” during an expedition last Friday to the northwest of Madagascar.
This particular species was first recorded by Oskar Boettger and that was the last 100 years ago. Oskar Boettger was actually a German zoologist in the year 1893. Previously, researchers truly believed that the specific species was similar to another chameleon species called “Furcifer rhinoceratus”. However, any study was done to prove this was not even possible. This is because the only available sample was collected for more than 100 years.
Based on the fact, the female of the species which had never been documented displayed particularly colorful patterns during pregnancy or even when encountering males. They also will do that when they are stressed. Males of the species are largely green. Unfortunately, the joy of finding the species after 100 years of absence would be crushed because the “Voeltzkow’s chameleon” may be gone forever if no action is taken to protect its habitat.
Sources: WISN 12, YouTube David Prötzel.
