A male panther chameleon (Furcifer padalis) in non-breeding colours.Madagascar is synonymous with these magnificent old world reptiles. Two-thirds of all known species are native to the island, the fourth largest in the world. A chameleon's ability to change colour and swivel its eyes 180 degrees makes it a reptile of considerable fascination.Malagasy people will only point to a chameleon with a knuckle. If they inadvertently use an outstretched finger, they must blow on it afterwards.