Panther Chameleon vs Reticulated Python

Furcifer pardalis compared with Python reticulatus

Key Differences

• Reticulated Python is 416.7x heavier than Panther Chameleon.
• Reticulated Python lives longer (25 years vs 5 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Panther Chameleon	Reticulated Python
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Reptilia (Reptiles)
Order same	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)
Family	Chamaeleonidae (Chameleons)	Pythonidae (Pythons)
Genus	Chamaeleo (Chameleons)	Python (Pythons)
Species	Furcifer pardalis	Python reticulatus

Evolutionary Relationship

Panther Chameleon and Reticulated Python share a common ancestor at the Order level: Squamata. (Lizards & Snakes)

Conservation Status

Panther Chameleon

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Reticulated Python

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Panther Chameleon	Reticulated Python
Diet	Carnivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	5 years	25 years
Average Length	45 cm	6.0 m
Average Weight	180 g	75.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Panther Chameleon

Habitat

Typically found in diverse ecosystems where prey species are available.

Range

Found in Madagascar.

Reticulated Python

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical coniferous forests, among 4 distinct biome types within the Indomalayan biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Thailand.

Panther Chameleon

The panther chameleon is native to Madagascar and is one of the most colorful reptiles. Males display vivid colors.

Reticulated Python

The reticulated python is the world's longest snake and one of the heaviest. They kill prey by constriction.