Brookesia bekolosy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brookesia bekolosy
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Chamaeleonidae
Genus:	Brookesia
Species:	B. bekolosy
Binomial name
Brookesia bekolosy Raxworthy & Nussbaum, 1995
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The Brookesia bekolosy, also known as the Bekolosy leaf chameleon, is a tiny chameleon. It lives only in Madagascar, which means it is endemic to that island. Scientists Raxworthy and Nussbaum first described this species in 1995.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Bekolosy leaf chameleon as an Endangered animal. This means it faces a very high risk of disappearing forever. Only one of these chameleons has ever been seen by scientists. That single sighting happened in 1992.

Where the Bekolosy Leaf Chameleon Lives

This chameleon is quite mysterious because it has only been found once. A single specimen was collected in 1992. It was found in a place called Bekolosy, which is inside the Manongarivo Special Reserve in Madagascar. This reserve is located in the Diana area.

Scientists believe this chameleon might only live on the Bekolosy Plateau. However, they don't know much more about its exact home. Its habitat is thought to be in mountains, between 1,000 and 2,000 m (3,300 and 6,600 ft) above mean sea level.

Why It's Endangered

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Bekolosy leaf chameleon as endangered. This is because its living area is probably very small. It is not likely to cover more than 3,000 km² (1,200 sq mi).

Also, the area where it lives is seeing more and more logging. Logging means cutting down trees, which destroys the chameleon's forest home. If this chameleon is only found on the Bekolosy Plateau, its situation would be even worse. It would be considered Critically Endangered. This is because the plateau is less than 100 km² (39 sq mi) in size. Its numbers would likely drop quickly in such a small area.

Naming the Bekolosy Leaf Chameleon

The Brookesia bekolosy was first officially described by scientists Raxworthy and Nussbaum in 1995. The study of how living things are named and grouped is called taxonomy.

In 1999, another scientist named Necas also recorded the species as Brookesia bekolosy. According to the ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System), the name Brookesia bekolosy is still considered correct and valid as of 2012.