Talk about good camouflage!
Scientists say they have found an elusive chameleon species that was last spotted in Madagascar 100 years ago.
Researchers from Madagascar and Germany said Friday that they discovered several living specimens of Voeltzkow鈥檚 chameleon during an expedition to the northwest of the African island nation.
In a report published in the journal Salamandra, the team led by scientists from the Bavarian Natural History Collections ZSM said genetic analysis determined that the species is closely related to Labord鈥檚 chameleon.
Researchers believe that both reptiles only live during the rainy season 鈥� hatching from eggs, growing rapidly, sparring with rivals, mating and then dying during a few short months.
鈥淭hese animals are basically the mayflies among vertebrates,鈥� said Frank Glaw, curator for reptiles and amphibians at the ZSM.
Researchers said the female of the species, which had never previously been documented, displayed particularly colorful patterns during pregnancy, when encountering males and when stressed.
The scientists say that the Voeltzkow鈥檚 chameleon’s habitat is under threat from deforestation.
___
Video of chameleon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exen2NIb_bw
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
