Furcifer nicosiai facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Furcifer nicosiai
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Chamaeleonidae
Genus:	Furcifer
Species:	F. nicosiai
Binomial name
Furcifer nicosiai Jesu, Mattioli & Schimmenti, 1999
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The Furcifer nicosiai is a large type of chameleon. Chameleons are special kinds of lizards. This chameleon lives only in western Madagascar. Scientists first described it in 1999.

It is an endangered species, meaning it is at risk of disappearing forever. It has only been found in the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. Here, it lives at heights between 57 and 571 meters (about 187 to 1,873 feet) above sea level.

What's in a Name?

The name nicosiai was chosen to honor Guido Nicosia. He was the Italian Ambassador to Madagascar from 1996 to 1999.

Physical Features

The Furcifer nicosiai is a fairly large chameleon. It has a tall ridge on the top of its head, called a parietal crest. But it does not have any horn-like parts on its nose.

It has small spines along its throat, known as a gular crest. It also has a line of small scales down its belly, called a ventral crest. A small ridge runs along its back from its neck towards its tail.

This chameleon looks a lot like another species, Furcifer verrucosus. Both types show sexual dimorphism. This means males and females look different from each other. You can tell Furcifer nicosiai apart because it is smaller. It also has different color patterns and some unique internal features.

Where It Lives and Its Home

The Furcifer nicosiai lives in western Madagascar. It is found among the limestone rocks in a small area. This area is in the Melaky Region, north of the Manambolo River.

So far, it has only been seen in the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. This park covers about 1,566 square kilometers (605 square miles). However, not all of this area is suitable forest habitat for the chameleon. It lives at heights from 57 to 571 meters (187 to 1,873 feet) above sea level.

The number of Furcifer nicosiai chameleons is believed to be shrinking. The biggest danger to this species is the loss and damage of its forest home. People cause this damage through farming, cutting down trees, and clearing land with fire.

How It Was Discovered

Scientists Jesu, Matioli, and Schimmenti first described Furcifer nicosiai in 1999. They collected the first examples of this chameleon in February and March of 1997. This was during Madagascar's rainy season.

Scientists believe that the group of chameleons including Furcifer oustaleti, Furcifer verrucosus, and Furcifer nicosiai might have other types that haven't been found yet. More research is needed to understand all these species.