Madagascar is sometimes called "the eighth continent" for its distinct biogeography.
| Major wildlife regions North America • Central & South America • Africa • Madagascar • Eurasia • South & Southeast Asia • Australasia • Arctic • Southern Ocean |
Understand
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As Madagascar has been an isolated landmass for 88 million years, most species are unique to the island (80-90% endemic). New species are continuously found even in the 21st century.
Similar to Australasian wildlife, the Madagascar wildlife is a case study of convergent evolution, in which animal species (in particular mammals) have evolved body shapes and behaviors similar to unrelated species on other continents.
Mammals
[edit]Lemurs are a superfamily of primates with around 100 species, endemic to Madagascar.
The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is a cat-like carnivore.
Tenrecs, also called otter shrews, are a family of mammals which resemble moles, hedgehogs and other small mammals on other continents.
Reptiles
[edit]Of the 290+ reptile species in Madagascar, more than 90% are endemic.
Only discovered in 2021, the nano chameleon (Brookesia nana) is thought to be the world's smallest reptile. It's about the size of a cockroach and, unlike other chameleons, it stays a single color (a dusky shade of brown).
Flora
[edit]Madagascar has nearly 15,000 known plant species, of which 80 per cent are only found on the island. The Madagascar orchids are particularly famous.
Destinations
[edit]- 1 Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.
- 2 Andringitra National Park.
- 3 Ile aux Nattes.
- 4 Isalo National Park.
- 5 Masoala National Park.
- 6 Ranomafana National Park.
- 7 Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve.
