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To speak of Madagascar is to speak of biodiversity, of incredible animals that more than 100 million years ago began to evolve and diversify in different parts of this wonderful island in southeast Africa. The island is home to 5% of all species of fauna and flora in the world, of which 70% are endemic, that is, we can only and exclusively find them in the wild in this corner of the planet.
Currently, it has more than fifty Nature Reserves and National Parks, being home to an incredible amount of wildlife. Continue reading this Green Ecologist article to learn a little more about some of the most surprising endemic animals of Madagascar.
Lemurs
At present, within the lemurs (Superfamily Lemuroidea) we find 101 species and subspecies that live in practically every habitat throughout the island. They are named after lemurs, ghosts of Roman mythology, due to the particular vocalizations that they emit, their bright and round eyes and the nocturnal habits of some of their species.
Types of lemurs of Madagascar
Among the best known lemurs, we find:
- Mouse lemur
- Aye Aye
- Indri
- Sifaka of Verreaux
- Bamboo lemur
You may also be interested in this other article about Lemurs, in danger of extinction, a sad reality.
Mouse lemur
Mouse lemurs (Genus Microcebus) measure, including the tail, less than 27 centimeters and weigh about 30 grams, a characteristic that makes them the smallest primates in the world. They are nocturnal and feed on insects, small vertebrates, fruits, and flowers. They are known for their screeching and frenzied activity.
Aye Aye
The Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) are strange-looking creatures, with independently turning ears and constantly growing teeth. It is a solitary lemur and the largest nocturnal primate in the world.
Indri
Indri lemurs (Indri indri) are currently the largest lemurs What can we find. Adults have dimensions between 57 and 70 centimeters in length and a weight of 7 to 10 kilos. They have a short tail but long limbs and fingers (partially webbed, to ensure a better grip), with which they move easily over the trees. They have a dense black and white coat.
Sifaka of Verreaux
Verreaux's lemur Sifaka (Propithecus verriauxi) is known for its characteristics dances. When they move, they do so only on their hind limbs, keeping the front limbs high. They inhabit the dry trees of western and southeastern Madagascar, feeding on leaves, fruits and flowers. Their fur is orange, white and black.
Bamboo lemur
Lemurs of the genus Hapalemur are commonly known as bamboo lemurs, as their diet is primarily based on this plant. They are characterized by their gray-brown fur. They weigh up to two and a half kilos and measure between 26 and 46 centimeters long, also counting on a long tail of approximately the same length.
Other endemic mammals of Madagascar
Other of the most striking endemic mammals of Madagascar are:
- The pit (Cryptoprocta ferox): It is the largest native carnivore in Madagascar. It has a short reddish coat, with claws that allow it to jump from one tree to another. It has nocturnal habits and feeds on lemurs and birds that it sometimes hunts on the fly. They are solitary and territorial animals.
- Madagascar bats: we also found a group of bats endemic to the island. It is of the genus Myzodopa, with suction cups on the legs as a morphological characteristic to be highlighted.
Endemic reptiles of Madagascar
Of the five endemic tortoise species of Madagascar, the radiated tortoise stands out (Astrochelys radiata). It is considered one of the most beautiful turtles in the world, with its shell brilliantly marked with yellow lines. It lives in arid and dry areas with thorny bushes.
- The satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus): it does not go unnoticed among the island's fauna. It is an arboreal species of the tropical forests of Madagascar. Its tail, flattened and with the appearance of a decomposing leaf, allows it an optimal mimicry.
- The giant chameleon of Madagascar (Furcifer oustaleti): it is the longest chameleon species on the island, reaching 68.5 centimeters. It feeds on insects, birds, and even small mammals.
- The spiny iguana (genus Oplurus): it has a dark brown or black band around its neck and a visible spot on the top of its head, being known locally as a three-eyed iguana.
- The Madagascar boa (Acrantophis madagascariensis): it is distributed by the center, northwest of the island. It is not poisonous and can measure up to 3 meters. It feeds on small mammals and birds.
Endemic birds of Madagascar
Within the group of birds it is more difficult to find endemic species, due to the constant migrations of these animals. However, two species of bright colors stand out:
- The Malagasy porrón (Aythya innotata): it is the only diving duck on the island. It is about 46 centimeters long and its plumage is mainly brown with a white belly; while its legs and beak are gray.
- The Blue Crane (Coua caerulea): it is distributed by the jungles of the northwest and the east of Madagascar. It is deep blue in color.
Now that you know the endemic animals of Madagascar, you may also be interested in this other Green Ecologist article on What animals live in the rainforest.
If you want to read more articles similar to Endemic animals of Madagascar, we recommend that you enter our Wild Animals category.
Bibliography- N. Garbutt (1999). Mammals of Madagascar. The Madagascar Library.
- R. Mittermeier, J. Ganzhorn et al. (2008). Lemur diversity in Madagascar. International Journal of Primatology. 29: 1607-1650.
- The Natural History of Madagascar (2003). The Madagascar Library.
- The Newsletter of the Madagascar Section of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group (2022). Lemur News, Vol. 21: 12-44.
