Yes, This Lizard is Sitting on a Finger. And It Really is That Tiny! What you’re looking at is an adult male chameleon,…

Yes, This Lizard is Sitting on a Finger. And It Really is That Tiny!

What you’re looking at is an adult male chameleon, Brookesia nana, the smallest known reptile. These incredibly tiny creatures belong to an endemic genus of chameleons found only in northern Madagascar and the nearby islets. Unlike many of their tree-dwelling relatives, Brookesia chameleons live primarily on the ground in forests.

With around 30 known species, all Brookesia chameleons are remarkably small. Brookesia nana, described only in 2021, measures just about 22 millimeters (including the tail) in adult males, while females are slightly larger at around 29 millimeters.

Why are these chameleons so small? Molecular analysis suggests that the miniaturized Brookesia species diverged from other chameleons about 40-50 million years ago. Today, they inhabit the northern part of Madagascar, a region with complex terrain that promotes high microendemism. Their tiny size is likely an adaptation to their highly restricted habitats. For instance, Brookesia micra was discovered on the 270-hectare islet of Nosy Hara, with an estimated population of 100,000-150,000 individuals.

Stay tuned for more incredible insights into the fascinating world of reptiles!