Taxonomic notes: Formally elevated to species level having previously been included within F. lateralis (Florio et al. 2012).

This species is endemic to the island of Madagascar where it is widely distributed from the north-east to the south-west of the island (Florio et al. 2012). 

This is a widespread species that can be locally abundant in some intact habitats, but it also tolerates altered environments (Florio et al. 212). There is no quantitative information on population abundance or trends. Because it is common in both natural and altered landscapes, the population is inferred to be stable. 

In western Madagascar, F. viridis inhabits dry deciduous forest, scrub and grasslands, and on the western high plateau an in northern Madagascar, it occupies more humid, transitional forests, grasslands and scrub (Florio et al. 2012). It is also tolerant of altered landscapes, where bushes and trees are present.

Furcifer viridis was recently described, and these populations were formerly within F. lateralis. As such, it would have constituted part of the annual 2,000 quota of F. lateralis that Madagascar exports annually. The level of actual export for F. viridis is therefore unknown, and at present, there have been no exports under the name F. viridis.

This species is tolerant of degraded natural habitats and occurs in a wide range of human-modified landscapes. As such, it is not presently considered to be under any notable threats.

This is a widespread species that occurs inside many protected areas but also throughout human-modified landscapes. Additional information on the life history of the species is needed to better understand its tolerance to such a variety of habitats. Once this species enters trade as F. viridis, wildlife officers in Madagascar who monitor reptile exports will need to be trained on identification and receive new information materials.

• 3.1.2 Trade management
• 3.1.1 Harvest management

This species is Least Concern because it has a large extent of occurrence (> 200,000 km²) and occurs in habitats that are heavily degraded and often lacking in natural features. It is therefore not considered threatened.

• Florio AM, Ingram CM, Rakotondravony HA, Louis EE, Raxworthy CJ. 2012. Detecting cryptic speciation in the widespread and morphologically conservative carpet chameleon (Furcifer lateralis) of Madagascar. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 25: 1399-1414.
• IUCN. 2014. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 13 November 2014).