Have you ever heard of a lizard with a nose that looks like a leaf? Meet the cute little leaf-nosed lizard—a small, shy green coloured reptile that lives high up in the cool, misty forests of Sri Lanka. Its real or scientific name is Ceratophora tennentii, but most people just call it the leaf-nosed lizard because of its strange and wonderful nose.
What’s so special about its nose?
The most interesting thing about this lizard is the leaf-shaped horn on its nose. It’s soft and flat, just like a leaf, and sticks out like a tiny hat. Only the males have this leafy nose, and scientists believe it may be used to attract females or to show the other males who’s boss.
The nose doesn’t help with breathing or smelling—it’s more like a decoration. But it makes the leaf-nosed lizard one of the most unique lizards in the world.
Where does it live?
This cool little creature lives only in certain parts of the Knuckles Mountain Range and nearby forested areas. These forests are wet and cold, full of tall trees, moss, and mist. Our lizard friend is a master of camouflage, blending in nicely with the green leaves and brown twigs so that it’s very hard to spot them.
They like to hang out in low bushes and small trees, where they can find tasty insects to eat.
What do they eat?
Leaf-nosed lizards are insectivores. That means they love to eat insects. Their menu usually includes:
• Tiny ants and beetles
• Moths and caterpillars
• Spiders and other small bugs
They use their long, sticky tongue to catch insects—just like a frog.
How do they have babies?
The female lays just one egg at a time, which is very rare for lizards. She carefully hides it under leaves or soft soil to keep it safe.
The baby lizard hatches after a few months and must learn to survive on its own without its mother.
In danger
The leaf-nosed lizard is critically endangered, that means it’s in big trouble. Why? Because people are cutting down forests, which destroys its home. Another reason is that it doesn’t live everywhere, only in the Knuckles Mountain Range; also, some people try to catch them and keep them as pets, which is harmful and illegal. When forests disappear, so do the lizards. That’s why protecting our forests is so important—not just for this lizard, but for many rare animals and plants that live there.
How can we help?
As children, we can help protect the leaf-nosed lizard:
• Learn about wild animals and share what you know
• Never keep wild animals as pets and tell others about it
• Join tree-planting projects or nature clubs
• Educate others on why forests are important
The leaf-nosed lizard is a small creature with a big story. It reminds us that every animal, no matter how tiny or shy, has a role to play in nature. Let’s do our part to keep its misty forest home safe and help this leafy-nosed wonder thrive for years to come.
