Pygmy chameleons

Species / Pygmy chameleons

Not every chameleon lives in a tree. Many small species, such as the leaf chameleons of the genus Brookesia, spend their lives on the forest floor, where they look like a dry leaf with legs.

Range

Mostly Madagascar, with related small species in parts of Africa

Size

From about 3 cm to 10 cm, depending on the species

Habitat

Leaf litter and low vegetation in forests

Diet

Tiny insects, mites and springtails

Small is relative

One species, Brookesia micra, was described in 2012 from a small island off northern Madagascar. Adults measure under 3 cm in total, which makes it one of the smallest reptiles known.

Pygmy chameleons change color much less than their larger cousins. Brown and gray tones are enough when your whole job is to look like part of the forest floor, and at night many of them climb to a low twig to sleep.