A new species of chameleon has been discovered on the island of Madagascar. Known as Brookesia nana, or nano-chameleon, the tiny male lizard measures only 9mm or 19mm if you include the tail. For comparison, a normal housefly measures about 7mm.
The female of the species is larger at 29mm (including the tail). Researchers confirmed the specimens were not juveniles – the female had two eggs inside of her.
It is believed the species may be so small due to the “island effect”. Animals trapped on small, isolated islands tend to evolve smaller bodies.
Nano-chameleon picture gallery
Check out more pictures of the nano-chameleon in the picture gallery below.
Image Credits
In-Article Image Credits
Brookesia nana sp. nov. in life; male holotype via Wikimedia Commons by Scientific Reports 11, 2522 - Glaw, F., Köhler, J., Hawlitschek with usage type - Creative Commons License. January 28, 2021Brookesia nana sp. nov. in life; female paratype via Wikimedia Commons by Scientific Reports 11, 2522 - Glaw, F., Köhler, J., Hawlitschek with usage type - Creative Commons License. January 28, 2021
Brookesia nana sp. nov. in life. male holotype via Wikimedia Commons by Scientific Reports 11, 2522 - Glaw, F., Köhler, J., Hawlitschek with usage type - Creative Commons License. January 28, 2021
Brookesia nana sp. nov. in life. male holotype via Wikimedia Commons by Scientific Reports 11, 2522 - Glaw, F., Köhler, J., Hawlitschek with usage type - Creative Commons License. January 28, 2021
Featured Image Credit
Brookesia nana sp. nov. in life. male holotype via Wikimedia Commons by Scientific Reports 11, 2522 - Glaw, F., Köhler, J., Hawlitschek with usage type - Creative Commons License. January 28, 2021