British team discovers lost Eden, Cute Wildlife in Africa

Here’s a cool science story for the holidays. Until a few years ago a giant forest in the mountainous north of Mozambique was known only to local villagers; it did not feature on maps nor, it is believed, in scientific collections or literature. But after “finding” the forest on a Google Earth internet map, a British-led team of scientists has returned from what is thought to be the first full-scale expedition below the tree canopy.

On the ground they discovered an Eden filled with astonishingly rich biodiversity, including what they believe to be three new species of butterfly, a previously undiscovered (and hideously unattractive) adder snake and new populations of rare birds.

They also found the baby pygmy chameleon pictured above, which while not technically a new species is still pretty rare – and very cute.

Read the full story and check out the photo gallery at The Guardian.