Discover the smallest reptile in the world

Scientists have found lizards of very small size and can easily stand on the matchstick. The area where they found lizards on a small island off Madagascar.

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The researchers said the lizard named Brookesia Micra is the smallest vertebrate discovered. Adult lizards range in length from 16 to 30mm. In addition, they discovered three other small gecko species.

The lizard named Brookesia micra

Frank Glaw, a reptile researcher and head of the Natural History museum in Munich, Germany, said: "We have had a lot of experience in finding small lizards in Madagascar. But we have to ask luck to complete the job because they are so small that it is difficult to detect differences with the naked eye ".

The team searched for small lizards in the night. They use headlights and flashlights to find them. All four species are usually active during the day and sleep in small shrubs at night.

"Once they find out that the lizards are sleeping, it's easy to catch them like a strawberry because they don't move at night," Glaw said.

Glaw, the lead researcher, said the scientists studied many small reptiles in northern Madagascar from 2003 to 2007. They confirmed that three of the four species were found to be new species. At the same time, they warned that two of the new species are seriously threatened by deforestation in Madagascar that are destroying their habitats.

"I have studied amphibians and reptiles for 25 years saying Brookesia Micra could be a good example of the size reduction for vertebrates and these independent active eyes. However, this may not be the smallest species yet and we will continue to Madagascar, where many surprises are awaiting discovery , " concluded Glaw.