CR

Namoroka Leaf Chameleon

Brookesia bonsi

Declining

Overview

Brookesia bonsi is a species of chameleons, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar, and was initially described by Guy A. Ramanantsoa in 1980. The International Union for Conservation of Nature ranked this species as Critically Endangered.

Brookesia bonsi faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its extremely limited range in northeastern Madagascar. The species' tiny population is highly vulnerable to collection pressure for the international pet trade, with its miniature size making it particularly sought after by collectors. Agricultural expansion and slash-and-burn practices continue to destroy the remaining fragments of lowland rainforest that this chameleon depends upon for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Brookesia bonsi inhabits the leaf litter and low vegetation of primary lowland rainforests in northeastern Madagascar, typically found within 2 meters of the forest floor. The species requires intact forest canopy to maintain the humid microclimate conditions essential for its survival.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical dry· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryLegislation

Other threatened species in CHAMAELEONIDAE

VU

Petter's Chameleon

Furcifer petteri

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EN

Pondo Dwarf Chameleon

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Perret's Montane Chameleon

Trioceros perreti

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VU

Mount Chiperone Pygmy Chameleon

Rhampholeon nebulauctor

Stable

Threatened in Madagascar

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Lepiota echinella

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Montipora calcarea

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Nasolo's Shrew TenrecVU

Nasolo's Shrew Tenrec

Microgale nasoloi

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Pseudoxyrhopus kely

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Namoroka Leaf Chameleon classified as Critically Endangered?
Namoroka Leaf Chameleon is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Brookesia bonsi faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its extremely limited range in northeastern Madagascar. The species' tiny population is highly vulnerable to collection pressure for the international pet trade, with its miniature size making it particularly sought after by collectors. Agricultural expansion and slash-and-burn practices continue to destroy the remaining fragments of lowland rainforest that this chameleon depends upon for survival.
Where does Namoroka Leaf Chameleon live?
Namoroka Leaf Chameleon occurs in Madagascar. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Namoroka Leaf Chameleon?
The main threats to Namoroka Leaf Chameleon are 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, and 5.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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