Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Miniature chameleon: World's tiniest reptile discovered in Madagascar
Examiner.com ^ | February 17, 2012 | Nannette Richford

Posted on 02/17/2012 3:11:10 PM PST by presidio9

What do Bigfoot, Sasquash and miniature chameleons have in common? Until recently, nearly anyone would tell you they didn’t exist. That has changed, at least for the dwarf chameleon. Brookesia micra, the world’s tiniest reptile has been discovered on the island of Nosy Hara, northern Madagascar. This tiny creature reaches less than one- inch in length at maturity. Researches discovered these miniature chameleons sleeping in bushes four inches above the ground level.

"They mostly live in the leaf litter in the day ... But at night they climb up and then you can spot them." Says lead investigator Frank Glaw.

Glaw further explains that these chameleons likely developed island dwarfism as a result of isolation as they adapted to a restricted habitat.

Mainer’s react with surprise and fascination to this discovery.

“It really makes you wonder what may be hiding right beneath our nose,” says cryptozoological enthusiast, Janice Peterson, of northern Maine . "We humans are an egotistical lot who scoff at the thought of undiscovered species. There are creatures out there – like the elusive Bigfoot or prehistoric sea creatures - waiting to be discovered. This is just one more case where science verifies the existence of previously unknown creatures.”

The German lead research team explains that Brookesia micra’s habitat is restricted to a very small islet and may represent extreme island dwarfism.

(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: chameleons; cryptozoology; littlecritters; notgecko; tinypackages
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-42 next last
To: Slings and Arrows

Let’s Hope they never make it to the U.S. The EPA will go crazy regarding protecting it as an endangered species.


21 posted on 02/17/2012 3:40:02 PM PST by snoopy 'n linus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

This thing could feast on skeeters.. import them to Louisiana.. a billion of them could knock the skeeter level down...


22 posted on 02/17/2012 3:40:07 PM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 353FMG

Madame Berthe’s Mouse Lemur (world's smallest primate)

23 posted on 02/17/2012 3:40:15 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam Does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

interesting


24 posted on 02/17/2012 3:46:03 PM PST by ElayneJ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

So adorable! So are all the little beasties.


25 posted on 02/17/2012 3:58:51 PM PST by CatherineofAragon (I can haz Romney's defeat?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: CatherineofAragon

Tiny Obama Family (waving from the eye of a needle)

26 posted on 02/17/2012 4:05:06 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam Does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: presidio9
I've trained American/western fence lizards to eat meal worms out of my hand. No cages. Cool little animals. They eat flies and mosquitoes and are my good friends. In fact, they come when I call them.

We have several different clans/families around the hideout from several generations.

27 posted on 02/17/2012 4:08:27 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

LOL! NOTHING cute about Erkel and the Wookie, no matter how tiny.


28 posted on 02/17/2012 4:12:02 PM PST by CatherineofAragon (I can haz Romney's defeat?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2
In regards to #27

Very smart lizards.

29 posted on 02/17/2012 4:12:30 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

Fasinating that you need a microscope to see it, but the artist still managed to make the First Lady’s butt look big.


30 posted on 02/17/2012 4:14:02 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam Does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

But can he sell car insurance?


31 posted on 02/17/2012 4:18:13 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam Does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

No, my lizard friends are based in reality, and have no desire to rip anyone off.


32 posted on 02/17/2012 4:21:13 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

Not especially small though, now are they?


33 posted on 02/17/2012 4:25:23 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam Does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

I’ve trained baby American/western fence lizards to eat out of my hand, which are no larger than about 1” long.


34 posted on 02/17/2012 4:27:59 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

Wow, looks like it takes quite a few per spoon full! Just add a little milk...


35 posted on 02/17/2012 4:36:18 PM PST by Boiling point
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

And I used to bullseye womprats in my T-16 back home. They’re not much bigger than two meters.


36 posted on 02/17/2012 4:37:44 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam Does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: hosepipe
"This thing could feast on skeeters.. import them to Louisiana.."

LOL...Louisiana skeeters would cart those little things off to their nests to feed their young.

37 posted on 02/17/2012 4:41:37 PM PST by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

Obama’s ears are too small, but the artist got his brain about the right size.


38 posted on 02/17/2012 4:43:49 PM PST by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

I have no idea what you’re referring to.


39 posted on 02/17/2012 4:48:37 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: 353FMG

Those are finger monkeys. I suppose, when they grow up, they are technically arm monkeys, but they’re still called finger monkeys.


40 posted on 02/17/2012 5:00:51 PM PST by exDemMom (Now that I've finally accepted that I'm living a bad hair life, I'm more at peace with the world.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-42 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson