Dwarf chameleon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dwarf chameleon
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Chamaeleonidae
Genus:	Brookesia
Species:	B. exarmata
Binomial name
Brookesia exarmata Schimmenti & Jesu, 1996
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The dwarf chameleon (scientific name: Brookesia exarmata) is a tiny lizard found only on the island of Madagascar. It's one of the smallest chameleons in the world! Scientists first described this special creature in 1996. Sadly, the dwarf chameleon is an endangered species, meaning it's at risk of disappearing forever.

Where Does the Dwarf Chameleon Live?

The dwarf chameleon lives only in Madagascar. It can be found in a special area called the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve. This reserve is in west-central Madagascar, near the Ambodyreana River.

This chameleon's home covers about 1,991 square kilometers (769 square miles). That's a pretty big area! However, its habitat is shrinking. This is mainly because of logging (cutting down trees) and forest fires. These activities destroy the forests where the chameleons live.

Dwarf chameleons live at different heights, from about 100 meters (328 feet) to 563 meters (1,847 feet) above sea level. Luckily, they live inside a protected area. This means there are rules to help keep their home safe. Even with protection, the dwarf chameleon is still an endangered animal.

What Does the Dwarf Chameleon Look Like?

The dwarf chameleon is one of the smallest chameleons in its group, called Brookesia. It has a narrow head and its body is colored beige and brown. This helps it blend in with its surroundings, like tree branches and leaves.

When fully grown, a dwarf chameleon is only about 45 millimeters (1.8 inches) long. Its tail makes up about 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) of that length. Imagine a chameleon that can fit on your finger!

At night, these tiny chameleons sleep on small twigs or stems. They usually rest about 15 centimeters (6 inches) above the ground. If a dwarf chameleon feels scared or threatened, it has a cool trick. It will make its body stiff and pull its legs close. Then, it will simply fall to the ground and stay still until it feels safe again. This helps it pretend to be a dead leaf or a piece of wood, confusing predators.

Naming the Dwarf Chameleon

The dwarf chameleon, Brookesia exarmata, was first officially described by two scientists, Schimmenti and Jesu, in 1996. Since then, other scientists have also studied and written about it. It's commonly called the Dwarf Chameleon because of its very small size.