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In January 2021, a new species of reptile was described in the scientific record for the first time. A single male and female of Brookesia nana, the nano-chameleon, had been found in a mountain rainforest in northern Madagascar back in 2012. The male measured only 22 mm from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail (his body was 13.5 mm) and the female was only 29 mm total. They were several millimeters smaller than their relatives Brookesia micra, meaning the fits-on-a-fingertip nano-chameleon might be the world's smallest reptile.
Unlike many other chameleons, these little cuties don't change colour and prefer to remain on the forest floor (rather than heading up into the trees). There's no estimation of how many nano-chameleons there could be, but since only two have been found in a single location, protecting their forest is key to their survival.
And so with apologies to Culture Club, here's a re-write of the 1983 song Karma Chameleon in honour of these miniscule lizards:
Nano Chameleon
[Harmonica intro]
One inch long and blotchy brown, how you'll stay
Smallest reptile ever found, so they say
You're a cam (a cam), that won't change colour
You're a cam (a cam), who doesn't grow
Though your skin could not be duller
We love you so, we love you so
Nano, nano, nano, nano, nano chameleon
We love you so, we love you so
Living would be easy if your forest was given care
Small cute and rare, small cute and rare
Eating tiny things like mites every day
Can I see the tongue you use to catch your prey?
Hope your life (your life) could not be fuller
Hope you find (you find) your perfect mate
If you go (you go) you're gone forever
So procreate, please procreate
Nano, nano, nano, nano, nano chameleon
We love you so, we love you so
Living would be easy if your forest was given care
Small cute and rare, small cute and rare
We must work for your survival (survival)
You're in danger (in danger), on arrival
We must work for your survival (survival)
You're in danger (in danger), on arrival
[Harmonica break]
You're a cam (a cam), that won't change colour
You're a cam (a cam), who doesn't grow
Though your skin could not be duller
We love you so, we love you so
Nano, nano, nano, nano, nano chameleon
We love you so, we love you so
Living would be easy if your forest was given care
Small cute and rare, small cute and rare
[Drums kick it up a notch]
Nano, nano, nano, nano, nano chameleon
We love you so, we love you so
Living would be easy if your forest was given care
Small cute and rare, small cute and rare
Nano, nano, nano, nano, nano chameleon
We love you so, we love you so
Living would be easy if your forest was given care
Small cute and rare, small cute and rare
Nano, nano, nano, nano, nano chameleon...
~Marilyn Anne Campbell
Links
Watch "CBC Kids News: Check out this tiny chameleon from Madagascar" on YouTube for a quick summary with some nice photos
Read about the discovery on NationalGeographic.com (free registration required)
Or read "Newly described chameleon from Madagascar may be world's smallest reptile" on Mongaybay.com for a more detailed account of the nano-chameleon discovery, which also includes this video:
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Thanks for reading,
Marilyn & Steve
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Mouse and Minnow is co-created by partners Steve Alguire (illustration) and Marilyn Anne Campbell (writing). Learn more about the newsletter or use the subscribe button below to receive original art and writing about the wonderful creatures of this world right in your inbox.
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