Deep in a northern Malagasy forest, measuring slightly below 30 millimeters from snout to tail, the newly described species, Brookesia nana, maybe the littlest reptile on Earth, researchers report.

Just two adult specimens, a male and feminine, are known. The female measures 28.9 millimeters, considerably larger than the 21.6-millimeter-long male.

Known as B. nana for its nano-size, the species belongs to a group of at least 13 other small chameleons spread out across the mountainous forests of northern Madagascar. Why B. nana and its cousins shrank to such tiny proportions remains a mystery.

Deforestation and habitat deprivation pressure B. nana’s future, the researchers state, nevertheless, the region where the compact chameleons were found was recently designated a protected area by the Malagasy government. The species may soon be listed as gravely endangered, the gravest rating made by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.