In a recent expedition to a remote islet off Madagascar, wildlife biologist Martin Roland experienced a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with one of the world’s tiniest reptiles, the Brookesia micra. Despite being on the island of Nosy Hara for a bat conservation project, Roland’s excitement peaked at the thought of seeing the elusive miniature chameleon.
At just under an inch long, Brookesia micra held the title of the smallest known chameleon species at the time of its discovery. Though a slightly smaller chameleon species was documented in 2021, B. micra still ranks among the tiniest reptiles in existence. Found exclusively on Nosy Hara, a two-square-mile islet, these creatures are a prime example of island dwarfism—a biological phenomenon where species adapt to smaller sizes due to the constraints of island habitats.
Roland knew his trip to Nosy Hara might be his only chance to spot the rare chameleon. However, given the reptile’s minuscule size, finding one would be no small task. He and his team spent days scouring the island’s dry, rocky landscape in hopes of catching a glimpse of the elusive creature.
“To find them, we would hike up and down a 3-kilometer trail, even going off-trail, just staring at leaf litter and shrubs for hours. They are so little that bugs are bigger,” Roland shared.
It wasn’t until the final day of his expedition that Roland’s perseverance paid off. After hours of searching that morning, his team finally spotted a B. micra at the base of a tree.
“It was the best moment of my life,” Roland recalled. “I held him and just stared.”
Although Roland knew the B. micra would be tiny, he was still unprepared for how delicate the creature appeared up close. He compared holding the tiny chameleon to cradling a baby, feeling a gentle pressure to keep it safe. “He was so tiny, he tripped on the crease of my hand and rolled 360 degrees,” Roland said, describing the reptile’s miniature misstep.
After a brief but unforgettable interaction, Roland had to say farewell to the B. micra. Leaving Nosy Hara, he took with him cherished memories of the encounter. Meeting one of the world’s smallest lizards was not only a highlight of his career but an experience that will remain with him forever.