A tiny, vividly colored, and extremely rare chameleon found only in a small patch of rainforest in eastern Madagascar. Discovered and described in 2010, this species was named not because it swings through trees like the fictional character, but because it was first found near a village called Tarzanville. Despite its adventurous name, the Tarzan chameleon leads a quiet, tree-dwelling life, hidden among leaves and branches in the humid forest canopy. It’s one of the most threatened chameleon species in the world, making it both a conservation priority and a fascinating find.

This chameleon has a slender body, a curled prehensile tail, and feet adapted for gripping branches — classic chameleon features. Males are more brightly colored than females, often displaying a mix of green, yellow, and pale blue hues, while females are usually more muted in tone. Like other chameleons, it has independent eye movement, allowing it to look in two directions at once, and a long, sticky tongue used to catch insects in a lightning-fast snap.

What makes the Tarzan chameleon especially unique — aside from its limited range — is how little of its habitat remains. It survives in just a few isolated forest patches, surrounded by deforested land and human settlements. It lives exclusively in humid, mid-altitude rainforest, a habitat that is shrinking fast due to logging, farming, and development.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Madagascar

EN

2024