You can celebrate World Lizard Day today by paying a visit to one of RZSS Edinburgh Zoo’s smallest inhabitants.
There you will see the Natal dwarf chameleon which is only 11 cm long when fully grown and is renowned for its camouflage abilities; however, this teeny weeny creative can really be seen in the Zoo’s newest indoor attraction, Wee Beasties.
This brand new, interactive exhibit near Penguins Rock gives visitors the opportunity to get closer than ever before to some of the Zoo’s smallest residents, from reptiles to amphibians, insects to molluscs. The new attraction will also host educational sessions and live animal-handling demonstrations, highlighting the important role even the smallest species play in our natural world – and the great impact they have on our lives.
Many of the species housed in the exhibit are threatened with extinction in various different parts of the globe, including the Natal dwarf chameleon. Endemic to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the species is classified as near threatened on the IUCN Red List, with much of its natural habitat coming under pressure from high intensity farming and wood plantations.
For more information visit – http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/animals-and-attractions/main-attractions/wee-beasties/
Until 31 August, adults can get into the Zoo for child prices (one adult for every full paying child) by saying “big kids” at the admissions desk.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
