Brookesia chameleons of Madagascar

Brookesia chameleons
Brookesia chameleons are some of the world's smallest reptiles—one species reaches a maximum length of just over an inch (30 mm). Also known as stumped-tailed or leaf chameleons, these diminutive creatures are found in the leaf litter of rainforests and dry deciduous forests in much of Madagascar.

Brookesia feed on small insects and reply on their cyptic coloration to evade predators. When disturbed, these chameleons will play dead in an effort to resemble a fallen leaf.

Brookesia are easiest to find at night when they sleep on the leaves of small shrubs.

Brookesia pictures