Little Wonders of the World by Raquel Morgens
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/new-tiny-chameleon-species-may-be-world-smallest-reptile
A new charmeleon was discovered beneath leaves in the Malagasy forest, this charmeleon measures only at 30 millimeters from snout to tail! Researchers report on January 28th that this new species may be the smallest reptile on earth.Two adult male and female species were found as well, the female measuring at 3.8 millimeters and the make measuring at 21.6 millimeters long. This charmelon is called a Brookesia nana for its nano size and belongs to a range of at least 13 other small chameleons spread out across the vast forests of northern Madagascar. One benefit from these charmelons' small size is that they are very skilled with their tongues to catch prey, although why these charmeleon shrinked to such a small size is still unknown. Deforestation and habitat degradation are major threats to B. nana’s future; researchers say that the region where the compact chameleons were found though was recently designated a protected area by the Malagasy government.
Why do you think these chameleons evolved into such a small size?
Do you think the protection act will do its job and keep these reptiles safe? Why or why no?
What do you think is the most disadvantage to these reptiles being so small?
The chameleons may have evolved to be so small for survival as it may make it more difficult for predators to find them. A disadvantage to being so small is the fact that in an altercation it is unlikely that they would overpower another organism.
ReplyDelete- Carissa Bersche
I think these chameleons evolved into a small size because it wasn't beneficial for them to be big on the islands they live on. It's more important for them to have plenty offspring, than to use their energy to grow big.
ReplyDeleteI think that they evolved to be this small because it's much easier to camouflage and hide from predators if you're that small. They were most likely living on an island with larger sized predators so they evolved to be smaller in size to hide better. Some disadvantages with being that small are a lack of speed and strength. -Shirin Saha
ReplyDeleteA disadvantage of being so small is that it could potentially get hurt/injured or even killed very easily from another predator or organism. One reason the could have evolved into a smaller size is because they require less food/energy and less space to inhibit an area or environment.
ReplyDelete-Trinity Mathis