It is the second smallest reptile in the world after Brookesia nana, a chameleon endemic to the island of Madagascar. The Brookesia minima is an endemic chameleon from the island of Nosy Be (Indian Ocean). The female can reach 3.5 centimeters but the male is even smaller. So when it meets a partner, the male clings to its back to never leave it. The species is threatened with extinction by the felling of trees that are used for the production of charcoal on the island.