Antsingy leaf chameleon (Brookesia perarmata)

Species information

Images

Threats

Chameleons are favoured as pets across the world due to their fascinating appearance and behaviour. Collection and trade has therefore taken its toll on many chameleon species, but international trade in this species is now prohibited (9). However, habitat degradation remains a threat, even though the species is found within a national park. As this species depends on the presence of leaf litter for food, shelter and laying its eggs, and also on low shrubs and seedlings for roosting at night, its survival is dependent on maintaining the existing vegetation structure within the Tsingy forests (5) (10).

Conservation

The Antsingy leaf chameleon is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), and as such international trade of this species is illegal (3). Its survival is not immediately threatened in the wild, although it is still justifiably a conservation priority because of its limited range and the continued degradation of its favoured habitats within the national park (1) (2) (10).