Brookesia bonsi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brookesia bonsi |
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Brookesia
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bonsi
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The Brookesia bonsi is a very small chameleon. It is a type of lizard that belongs to the Chamaeleonidae family. This special chameleon lives only in Madagascar. A scientist named Guy A. Ramanantsoa first described it in 1980. Sadly, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says this species is Critically Endangered. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
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What's in a Name?
The name bonsi was chosen to honor a French scientist. His name was Jacques Bons, and he was born in 1933. He was a herpetologist, which means he studied reptiles and amphibians.
Where Does It Live?
The Brookesia bonsi chameleon lives only in one specific place. This place is Namoroka National Park in northern Madagascar. It prefers the wetter parts of this park. Scientists have found it living at elevations between 100 and 200 meters (about 328 to 656 feet) above sea level. Its home area is very small, less than 100 square kilometers (about 38 square miles). Even after many searches in other parts of western Madagascar, this chameleon has not been found anywhere else.
How Does It Have Babies?
Like many reptiles, the Brookesia bonsi lays eggs. This way of having babies is called oviparous.
Why Is It Endangered?
The Brookesia bonsi is listed as Critically Endangered because its home is shrinking. People are clearing land for agriculture (farming) and cutting down trees for wood. This destroys the chameleon's natural habitat. In 1996, scientists thought the species was not rare. However, during a 15-day search in 2002, they could not find any Brookesia bonsi in the nature reserve. This shows how quickly its numbers might be dropping.
How Was It Discovered?
The Brookesia bonsi was first described as a new species in 1980. This was done by the herpetologist Guy A. Ramanantsoa. Other scientists have also written about this chameleon. These include Glaw and Vences in 1994, Nečas in 1999, and Townsend and his team in 2009. The Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) confirms that this species is officially recognized.
