Color loss?

[RedMountainHome]

My male panther, Toby, used to have all sorts of crazy colors. Over the winter he seemed to lose everything but his blues and greens. Those colors are still vibrant and healthy looking, but I miss the reds and all the rest. You can see his previous colors in my profile pic, and here's a more recent one. Any ideas what's up with that?

 

[ispeedonthe405]

He looks fine. Every shed is an adventure, and change is part of the game.

This is how my panther changed over two years. He's 2.5 now, and even now he can change after a shed. This time he's got just a little bit of his blue back in his face and belly.
View media item 45560

 

[JacksJill]

Adult male panthers naturally have a yearly color cycle that peaks during the breeding season. In captivity they tend to wax and wane based on cues they pick up from the conditions we set so it is more random.
There is a thread that illustrates this some where if I get time I will link it.

 

[RedMountainHome]

Thanks for the info, folks! I always assumed that adult colors were fairly well fixed. It's pretty amazing how complex these little creatures are.
I'd like to see that progression you mentioned @ispeedonthe405, and if you can find it that thread you mentioned @JacksJill.

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

How old is he? Panthers don't get their full/final color scheme till they are but a year and a half old. And then they cycle through bright versus dull color phases through the year.

 

[RedMountainHome]

He is roughly 1.5 years old. I've had him for almost exactly a year, and the breeder said he was 5-6 months old when I bought him.

Do the color changes always occur with a shed? And, should sheds occur at regular intervals? That thought never even occurred to me till now.

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Right before a shed their color would more dull due to the old skin starting to change to come off. They do therefore seem brighter after a shed. Color can also become a little more dull over time if the chameleon eats bugs that are not properly gutloaded!

 

[JacksJill]

Here is the link. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/faded-colors-on-panther-chameleon.157461/

 

[broderp]

How old is he? Panthers don't get their full/final color scheme till they are but a year and a half old. And then they cycle through bright versus dull color phases through the year.

Well this is music to my ears! My Sherman can be blue one day, turquoise the next (This I love) but other times (a lot of the time) he's a dull green. I was concerned about this as I thought he would be at "full colors" by 6 months. I love him regardless of color, but if I'm being honest I want him to be just like his daddy, a bright turquoise color. I guess I have some time to see him develop.


Green:

Blue-ish

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Sherman will probably be a very nice blue when he is done playing games! Lol

 

[RedMountainHome]

That's a pretty wicked shed pic, @broderp! Sherman's a beauty, for sure =)

 

[bobcochran]

He is roughly 1.5 years old. I've had him for almost exactly a year, and the breeder said he was 5-6 months old when I bought him.

Do the color changes always occur with a shed? And, should sheds occur at regular intervals? That thought never even occurred to me till now.

Shedding is a function of growth, reptiles grow most of their life, but their growth slows considerably the older they get. A healthy young well nourished panther can shed every 3 weeks as opposed to a healthy 1 plus year old which will shed every 3 months or more depending on age. Color changes do occur after shedding, but this is mostly the contrast between dull (before shedding) and bright(after shedding). Naturally, he does get more colorful as he matures. Color changes are also seasonal. The colors you see are due to chromatophores in the individual cells of the epidermis reflecting light. Which chromatophores are at the surface of the cells is hormonally determined. If a male is sexually excited he will be as colorful as possible to attract a mate, if he is basking the chromatophores sink so as to not reflect but absorb light to warm him, and he is dark in color. And it goes without saying individual color potential is genetic.

 

[broderp]

Sherman will probably be a very nice blue when he is done playing games! Lol

I sure hope so, thanks! (Love the "playing games" comment )

That's a pretty wicked shed pic, @broderp! Sherman's a beauty, for sure =)

It kinda of reminded me of when Godzilla does his thing and his spines light up as he shoots out his atomic breath...lol Thanks for the comments.