Madagascar chameleon lives life in the fast lane

The fasting living, fastest to die four-legged animal known to science is a species of chameleon found in Madagascar, according to U.S. researchers.
The Labord's chameleon (Furcifer labordi) spends most of its lifespan incubating inside its shell. After four or five months out in the world, it dies. Total pre-hatching and post-hatching existence: about 1 year.
In fewer than 60 days, body size for males can quadruple or quintuple as they reach adulthood. No other known four-legged animal has such a rapid growth rate and such a short life span, says researcher Kristopher B. Karsten of Oklahoma State University.
The finding, detailed in the July 1 issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, raises issues about conservation of short-lived creatures, especially on biodiversity-rich Madagascar where forest habitats are being destroyed rapidly due to pressures relating to poverty and political instability.
"We've identified a species that does something really different from the others, but what is driving this system?" Karsten said. "One bad year could wipe out these chameleons."
Karsten discovered the unusual life cycle of the chameleon almost by accident.
"I showed up late in the season and found something weird," Karsten said. "There were no juveniles. But by February, I found carcasses all over with no signs of mutilation or predation. The population plummeted — we've never seen this with other lizards."
Now, after five seasons of data and sightings of nearly 400 of the lizards, the life cycle of F. labordi can be described. Hatching begins with the rains in November, and, once emerged, the chameleons develop rapidly, growing up to 0.1 inches a day — much faster than any known lizard.
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