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Scientists discover smallest reptile on earth

Scientists have discovered arguably the smallest reptile on earth, a chameleon subspecies that is equal to the size of a seed.

GNN Web Desk
Published 4 years ago on Feb 6th 2021, 10:14 pm
By Web Desk

According to details, an expedition team of German-Madagascan scientists discovered two tiny lizards in Madagascar.

The male lizard has a body of just 13.5mm, while the female is around 29mm in size, making them smallest of about 11,500 known species of reptiles.

Despite team’s utmost efforts, they were unable to locate other specimens.

Scientists say that newly discovered reptile is probably found only in rainforests of northern Madagascar and fear it might be threatened by extinction.

They believe that it feeds on mites and hides from predators at night in blades of grass.

Oliver Hawlitschek, a scientist at the Center of Natural History in Hamburg, said: "The nano-chameleon's habitat has unfortunately been subject to deforestation, but the area was placed under protection recently, so the species will survive."

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