Brookesia exarmata

Brookesia exarmata is endemic to Madagascar, where it is only found in its type localities, which is the River Ambodyreana, Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, in west-central Madagascar.[2][3] It can be found over an area of 1,991 km² (769 sq mi), and the habitat of the species is in decline due to logging and forest fires. B. exarmata can be found at elevations between 100 and 563 m (328 and 1,847 ft) above mean sea level. It is found in a protected area.[1] The IUCN has classed B. exarmata as an endangered species.[1]

The dwarf chameleon is one of the smallest species in the chameleon genus Brookesia. It has a narrow head, and is coloured beige and brown. The species is 45 mm (1.8 in) at full length, with 20 mm (0.79 in) of that being the tail.[3] It sleeps at around 15 cm (5.9 in) above the ground on twigs and/or stems. When threatened, it will stiffen its body and clutch its legs, and then fall to the ground, until it feels safe.[4]

Brookesia exarmata was first described in 1996 by Schimmenti and Jesu, and was described twice since that year; by Necas in 1999: 277, and most recently, by Townsend et al. in 2009.[2] It is commonly known as the Dwarf Chameleon due to its small size.[3]