The Pinocchio Chameleon

Calumma gallus, also known as the lance-nosed chameleon, is a small, elusive species endemic to eastern Madagascar. Males sport a long, flexible rostral appendage with vibrant blue, violet, and green hues, while females have a shorter, leaf-shaped red nose. Measuring around 11 cm, they thrive in dense, fern-covered vegetation on steep slopes. Their cryptic coloration helps them blend into their surroundings, making them difficult to spot. This species is oviparous and listed as Endangered due to habitat fragmentation and deforestation3. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these charismatic reptiles and their shrinking rainforest homes.