In Search of Rapunzel’s Pascal
As with every trip I take, I’m always on the lookout for which wild animal I might encounter. So when the idea of going to Réunion Island came up, I immediately added this adorable little resident to my list.
Let’s go in search of Rapunzel’s little “Pascal” 😉.
Who am I?
Belonging to the species Furcifer pardalis, I am also known as the “Sleepy” Chameleon of Réunion. My nickname comes from the way I move: very, very slowly 😊. I was introduced to the island from Madagascar in the 17th century, and today I am protected and considered a symbol of Réunion’s wildlife.
Males are much more colorful than females: bright green, turquoise blue, orange, or red, while females display softer shades.
Contrary to what you might think, I mostly change color to communicate. These changes can signal different moods, deter a predator, or impress a rival.
Another surprising fact: my eyes can move independently of each other, allowing me to look in two directions at once!
If you’re lucky enough to come across me, please do not use a flash when photographing me, as it could threaten my survival by causing blindness.
Where to find me?
Even though I’m quite common on the island, I’m not so easy to spot because I’m small and a master of camouflage 😊. If you want to catch a glimpse of me in my natural habitat, you’ll need patience, a keen eye, and a bit of luck.
I can be found throughout Réunion Island, up to about 1,000 meters in altitude, mainly in wooded areas, sugarcane fields, parks, and gardens. If you’re visiting Réunion, you’ll most likely spot me in botanical gardens, such as Jardin d’Éden. To increase your chances, note that the wet season (December to March) is the best time to see me, as I’m more active during this period.
In Search of Pascal
On the first day of our arrival, we headed straight to Jardin d’Éden for my favorite activity: searching for nature’s treasures.
We explored it several times, inspecting every branch and every leaf… but despite the signs announcing their presence, no “Pascal” in sight 😉. The person at the reception explained that September isn’t the best time to spot them. That didn’t stop us from having an amazing time, though. We loved this small, authentic, and intimate garden, which was full of other wonders: colorful tropical flowers, a peaceful atmosphere, and, above all, adorable green geckos.
The Encounter
On the last day of our trip, after several unsuccessful searches during our hikes and a visit to another botanical garden, we returned to Jardin d’Éden. And this time, nature gave us the most wonderful gift. Around a bush, our eyes finally fell on a tiny ochre creature, perfectly still amid the vegetation. Pure bliss!
We spent a long time observing this extraordinary animal: its very slow movements, the shape of its little feet, and especially its famous eyes that move in opposite directions. As amazing as it was unsettling—and we still didn’t get to see its tongue 😉!
As we continued along the trail, another burst of joy: a second chameleon, a bit more colorful, well hidden among the leaves. This one performed a few acrobatics (still in slow motion 😉), perfect for admiring its unique movements. Finding two “Pascals” on the last day was the perfect way to end this trip.
