Patrick Emmanuel - Veiled Chameleon Les poilus - Radio Canada
7 June 2026
Dragon the Veiled Chameleon: A Memorable Final TV Appearance Before Retirement!
Some television segments stay with us forever. The one featuring Dragon, Educazoo’s famous veiled chameleon, alongside Patrick Emmanuel, is certainly one of those unforgettable moments.
For Dragon, this encounter was particularly special. After spending years helping Educazoo educate the public about biodiversity, this would be his final television appearance before a well-deserved retirement. Veiled chameleons generally have a relatively short lifespan compared to many other reptiles, making Dragon a true veteran of animal education.
And for his last appearance on television, he delivered a performance that no one will soon forget.
A Chameleon Unlike Any Other
Chameleons are often seen as mysterious and reserved animals. In the wild, they spend much of their time observing their surroundings and can be sensitive to stress.
In fact, for many individuals, simply being watched can trigger a stress response. Dragon, however, has always been different. Incredibly social, curious, and calm, he is an exception among veiled chameleons. That is precisely why he has participated in so many educational activities over the years.
At Educazoo, every animal is individually evaluated by biologists and animal care specialists. A species alone never determines an animal’s behavior. Just like humans, every individual has its own personality.
Dragon is the perfect example of that.
Patrick Emmanuel Meets a Very Comfortable Chameleon. From the very beginning of the segment, Dragon demonstrated just how comfortable he was around people. The chameleon did not hesitate to climb onto Patrick Emmanuel, explore his sweater, and calmly walk across his shoulders. Patrick was quickly surprised by the strength of Dragon’s feet.
A chameleon’s feet are particularly fascinating. Their toes are grouped into two opposing sections, with 2 toes on one side and 3 on the other, forming a natural pincer-like grip.Combined with their strong claws, these specialized feet allow chameleons to securely grasp branches and avoid falling.
This characteristic is one of the reasons why Educazoo generally recommends this species for children aged 10 and older, who are better able to understand how to handle the animal properly.
An Extraordinary Television Moment
Then came a moment that even reptile enthusiasts rarely get to witness. As Sébastien Kfoury held mealworms in front of him, Dragon decided to eat… live on television. For chameleon specialists, this behavior is especially significant. A stressed chameleon will generally refuse to eat. The fact that Dragon willingly fed in front of the cameras, lights, hosts, and production crew demonstrated just how relaxed he was.
Watching his tongue launch with incredible precision to capture his food created a spectacular moment rarely seen live. A truly unforgettable television moment.
A Well-Deserved Retirement
Beyond the impressive nature of the segment, this encounter reminds us of an important reality: every animal is unique. For more than 25 years, Educazoo has been bringing people closer to biodiversity by creating positive encounters between humans and animals.
Dragon has contributed to this mission for many years, allowing thousands of people to discover reptiles from a new perspective.And for his final television appearance, he gave us exactly what he has always done best: inspire wonder, surprise audiences, and help people connect with wildlife.
Happy retirement, Dragon!
