Thursday, August 16, 2012

World's Tiniest Chameleon Found In Madagascar

World's Tiniest Chameleon Found In Madagascar

Researchers have recently discovered four new species of tiny chameleons in the remote rainforests in northern Madagascar. The chameleons are so small that the adult of the smallest species are just over an inch from snout to tail.

The four new species belong to the genus Brookesia, also known as the leaf chameleons, which are already known to contai
n some very small species, with members typically resembling younger versions of larger species. Adult males of the B. micra species grow to only just over a half-inch (16 millimeters) from nose to bottom, making them some of the smallest reptiles on Earth.

Mostly brown with a touch of green, the coloring of the diminutive creatures is far from spectacular. And unlike what chameleons are famous for, these miniature animals are unable to change their appearance. Nonetheless, researchers are fascinated.

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