This diminutive lizard was detected by German biologists in the rainforest of Madagascar. The research team from the “Munich Zoological Center» (Zoologische Staatssammlung), led by Dr. Frank Glow (Frank Glaw), announced the opening of four new varieties of the genus Brookesia chameleons.
The most microscopic specimens were kind Brookesia micra, whose body length does not exceed 29 millimeters. Previously, it was believed that the tiniest lizard of the genus Brookesia minima belong to the mind, adult male which individuals grow up to 31 mm.
“The day they wait out in the fallen leaves, and at night climb on the hill and only if they can be seen, says Dr. Glow.
The most interesting thing is that these small and defenseless animals do not hide at night, quietly and peacefully sleeping in the open, did not fear for their lives. The explanation for such unusual behavior is that these chameleons simply no one to hunt, because they live on the remote island of limestone, which are hardly thebiggest animals. Chameleons Brookesia micra is the brightest representative of island dwarfism. In their natural habitat is a lot of food, and there is simply no largepredators, which would have cost them to fear, and therefore this type simply do not need more to grow, he said in conclusion Frank Glow.
