Researchers have recently discovered four new species of tiny chameleons in the remote rainforests in northern Madagascar.
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.
All four species are active during the day, and at night climb up into the branches to sleep.
However, once spotted, the tiny lizards are easy to catch.
“They are sleeping and you’re free to just pick them up.
“They do not move at all at night.”
Brookesia species tend to live within a very small range.
Extreme miniaturization of this sort is common in island populations.
Known as island dwarfism, it may occur due to limited resources and pressure to reproduce faster.
The findings appear on the Feb. 15 issue of the open access journal PLoS ONE.
Brookesia desparata with two freshly-laid eggs.
The name refers to the desperate situation of the animals because their habitat is under threat from deforestation.
Interestingly, Madagaskar is also home to to the biggest chameleons.
Furcifer oustaleti grows to almost 70 centimeters.
