Dwarf chameleon  (Brookesia exarmata)

The dwarf chameleon, only described to science in 1996 (3), is one of the smallest of the diminutive stump-tailed chameleons, (Brookesia species) (2), which makes it one of the smallest reptiles in the world (4). Its body is rather cylindrical, with a small, flat and relatively narrow head, and a short and slender snout The skin, in shades of brown and beige, enables this chameleon to blend into the leaf litter, and occasionally a lichen-like or striped pattern is present, providing even more effective camouflage (2) (3).

The dwarf chameleon occurs only on a high plateau in western central Madagascar, where it has been recorded in the Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve and adjacent forests, along the Ambodyreana River and on the western slopes of the Antsingy Forest (2) (3).

Inhabits an area of deciduous primary forest, at elevations of 100 to 300 metres (2). This area is characterised by little or no precipitation during the dry season, when trees lose their leaves and the undergrowth diminishes, but during the rainy season, from October to April, the forest is rejuvenated and this area often floods (2).

The dwarf chameleon, although largely terrestrial, is also often seen climbing on vegetation (2). It also sleeps in low vegetation, on stems or leaves around 15 centimetres above the ground (4). The life-history of Brookesia chameleons is poorly understood, but copulation and egg-deposition has been observed for the dwarf chameleon during February (3).

When threatened, the dwarf chameleon feigns death by clutching its legs to its stiffened body and dropping to the ground. It will remain in this position until the danger has passed (2).

Brookesia chameleons are threatened by two significant factors: habitat destruction and harvesting for the international pet trade. Habitat destruction poses a major threat to all flora and fauna on Madagascar, and in western Madagascar only one percent of natural deciduous forest, the habitat of the dwarf chameleon, is under any form of protection. Harvesting is likely to be threatening the survival of many species of stump-tailed chameleons, and has even been recorded from inside protected areas, but the extent of the impact is not yet clear (5).

The dwarf chameleon occurs in at least one protected area, the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (6), which offers this species some protection but does not completely eliminate the threats of illegal harvesting and habitat degradation, as a result of fires, cattle damage and timber exploitation (6). The dwarf chameleon is also listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that trade in this species should be carefully controlled in order to be compatible with their survival (1).

For further information on the dwarf chameleon see:

• Necas, P. and Schmidt, W. (2004) Stump-tailed chameleons. Miniature Dragons of the Rainforest. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt.

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