Minute Leaf Chameleon

This tiny chameleon grows to just 3.5 cm long! It was thought to be the world’s smallest lizard before the discovery of its close relative B. micra. Brookesia chameleonsof Madagascar diverged from all other living species more than 50 million years ago. The minute leaf chameleon is endemic to northwestern Madagascar. It occurs in lowland regions up to 350 metres above sea level, and its extent of occurrence is less than 4,000 km².  This tiny chameleon requires lowland humid forest and is unlikely to be resilient to disturbance. It adopts the ‘freeze and roll’ antipredator defence and roosts on low vegetation at night. Brookesia minima has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2014. Brookesia minima is listed as Endangered.