Predation on chameleons in Madagascar: a review

Abstract

We reviewed the diet of nocturnal and diurnal chameleon predators on Madagascar from the available literature and identified 28 species. Diurnal raptors were the main predators of chameleons, although the literature was biased towards birds and probably underestimated predation by other animals, notably snakes. Eutriorchis astul' (Accipitridae) and Falco zoniventris (Falconidae) are the principal avian predators of Furcifer spp. and Calumma spp. and the Brachypteracias leptosomus (Brachypteraciidae) of Brookesia spp.