'Midget Dragons' Found In South American Jungle

Three new species of lizard have been discovered in South America which nature enthusiasts have described as "midget dragons".

The discoveries were made in the rainforests of the Tropical Andes region of Ecuador and Peru.

The scientists who found the new species say even more reptiles are probably waiting to be discovered.

"It's incredible the quantity of reptile species we still haven't discovered even though it's the 21st century," said Omar Torres Carvajal from the QCAZ Zoology Museum.

Mr Torres said all three species have "very striking colours and morphology", with protruding scales, serrated crests and shiny backs.

They can grow to a size of about 40cm (16 inches) in length.

Pablo Venegas of Peru's Ornithology and Biodiversity Centre said there is a "race against time" to find more previously unknown species as logging and farming damage the environment.

The new species are locally known as "lagartijas de palo", or stick lizards.

Nature enthusiasts have nicknamed them "midget dragons".

They are known to sleep in tree trunks and can camouflage themselves against their jungle environment.