|
Madagascar Animals - A Unique Bunch
Madagascar animals are just one aspect of (and reason to visit) this amazing and unique country. There are also the plants, culture, beaches and more but for now I will focus on the animals.
A large number of Madagascar animals are endemic to the country, meaning the species only naturally occur there. For example, around 70% of its mammals, around 90% of its reptiles and 99% of the amphibians are endemic!
Unfortunately the survival of a huge proportion of Madagascar animals are also threatened.
Like most developing countries, feeding the nation comes before conservation. Rice is the staple food and a lot of forest areas have been - and still are - cleared to make space for rice paddies.
Growing tourism is fortunately promoting conservation of the forests and wildlife of this biological wonder island. It is however, an ongoing battle.
What wildlife is it then, exactly?
The Lemur, Madagascar's Main Wildlife Attraction
There are around 50 species of these primates on Madagascar (and only Madagascar, apart from a few that have been introduced to neighbouring islands by man).
There are 5 different lemur families: mouse and dwarf lemurs, weasel or sportive lemurs, true lemurs, indri lemurs (under which the sifakas) and finally the aye-aye lemur in a class all its own.
Their behaviour is as varied as they are - some are nocturnal, some diurnal; some big, some small.
The largest is the indri lemur (E*), the size of a 7-year old child. People who have heard the extraordinary call of the indri with their own ears say it is "exquisite" and a thrill they will not forget.
The smallest is the pygmy mouse lemur, only 20cm (7.8") long including its tail and weighing in at a mere 30g (1 ounce).
A common resident in zoos around the world and an animal seen as "the face of Madagascar", is the ring-tailed lemur (V*). They are diurnal and in some Madagascar reserves have grown quite accustomed to people, so you are almost guaranteed to see them on your visit.
Should you visit Ranomafana National Park, you can try to find all of the bamboo lemurs. The golden bamboo lemur (CE*) was only discovered in 1986 and is responsible for the declaration of the park. The others are the greater- and grey bamboo lemurs. Attesting to nature's fine design, they all feed on different parts of the bamboo plant, ensuring they don't come into conflict with each other over food.
Probably the most shy of the lot is the nocturnal aye-aye (E*). Even guides who visit Madagascar animals all the time, struggle to find them.
Other Mammals
There are about 28 species of bats here, for example the lesser yellow bat (CE*), sucker-footed bat (V*) and three types of flying fox.
Every country has its rats but the rodents in Madagascar aren't just your average rats, they are giant sized ... the largest of which is the giant jumping rat (endemic)(E*). It's the size of a rabbit and can be found in the Kirindy Forest area (not a reserve).
Tenrecs are nocturnal insect eaters, some of which are spiny and others furry. They look like moles or hedgehogs, or something in between. The water or aquatic tenrec (E*) is unique in that it has webbed feet and is also the rarest. These Madagascar animals also vary in size, some as small as a mouse and some as large as 40cm (15").
The fosa (looks like a cross between a puma and large housecat. It has short legs and hair, lives in the trees and are more related to mongooses) is one of only 5 carnivore Madagascar animals.
Reptiles
Roughly half the world's chameleons occur in Madagascar, including Parson's chameleon, the largest in the world at a length of up to a whopping 68cm (26.7")!
A good example of the Malagasy people's superstitions counting in favour of conservation of at least one group of Madagascar animals, is their view of the tiny Brookesia chameleons. It's regarded as a god and therefore intensely protected.
The geckos on Madagascar are divided into brightly coloured diurnal geckos and paler nocturnal ones. The leaf-tailed gecko is one of the most photogenic... it has huge bright eyes in relation to its body, and no eyelids.
Other lizards are skinks and iguanids. The three-eyed lizard is often seen, as well as the spiny-tailed iguanid.
You don't have to worry about snakes when walking around in Madagascar reserves. Although over 80 species occur there, none are deadly to man. The spear-nosed snake has a very descriptive name... do a Google Image search under its scientific name (Langaha Madagascariensis) and you'll see what I mean!
One of the rarest tortoises in the world occur in Madagascar. The endemic plowshare (or angonoka) tortoise (E*) only occurs in a small forest area in north west Madagascar. Reproduction is slow, with individuals only starting to breed at the age of 20.
The Nile Crocodile, which is common in eastern and southern Africa, can also be found in Madagascar. Their numbers have drastically fallen over the years due to hunting for their skin.
Frogs
The number of frog species in Madagascar is unclear (probably about 300) but everyone seems to agree that 99% of them are endemic Madagascar animals. A lot of them are endangered.
Just like the geckos, some (toxic) frogs are brightly coloured and others well camouflaged.
Birds
Madagascar has in the region of 250 bird species of which 110 are endemic.
Two unusual birds are the Bernier’s Teal and the Madagascar White Ibis which can both be found in the Betsiboka estuary in the north west of the country. The Schlegel's Asity is so beautiful it almost looks unnatural. Most birders have the Ground Rollers on their wish lists and it seems they are relatively easy to find.
Marine Madagascar Wildlife
Marine Madagascar animals can be seen by diving and snorkelling at the beautiful Isle St Marie (also known as Nosy Boraha) in the north east or Nosy Be in the north west (Nosy means island). Being a tropical location, you can expect bright... uhm... tropical fish and other wildlife like turtles.
If you prefer to stay dry, you can resort to whale watching on the east coast. Humpback whales, sperm whales and different dolphin species can be seen from terra firma, or boat trips that operate in the area of Isle St Marie (Nosy Boraha). July to September is the best time for viewing these Madagascar animals.
Bugs
 Not many people are interested in finding out which kind of insects will be wandering around outside their hotel or tent. However, there are a few of Madagascar's 100,000 insect species that warrant special mention:
The vast majority of cocroach species never make themselves a pest to humans. The hissing cocroach is one such critter and even if you don't get to see it, it will be a thrill to hear it. When under threat, it ejects air out of holes on the side of its body, making a loud hissing noise and buying it some time to escape. It also hisses to protect its territory (the male) or during courtship.
For unusual looks, the giraffe beetle must take first prize. Its body looks like a regular beetle body should, but then it has a long thin neck with the head at the end.
The country hosts many moths, some so colourful that they look more like butterflies. The stunning endemic comet moth (or Madagascan moon moth) is an excellent example. It's a very large yellow silk moth with long wing tails of up to 20cm!
*CE - Critically Endangered; E - Endangered; V - Vulnerable
|
