Copyright 2012 – Kris Heeter, Ph.D.





Four new dwarf chameleon species have recently been discovered in the northern Madagascar rainforests. The tiny reptiles, some of the smallest in the world, are only about an inch long and belong to the genus Brookesia.

Three genera of chameleons are found on the island of Madagascar: Brookesia, Calumma, and Furcifer.

The island harbors nearly 80 of the world’s estimated 185 chameleon species. The Brookesia species tend to live within a very small geographical radius.

The four new species have been named:

Brookesia tristis

Brookesia confidens

Brookesia micra

Brookesia desperata



