|
|
 Madagascar |
|
|
There are about 260 species of reptile on Madagascar, more than 90 percent of which are native to the island.
The largest reptile in Madagascar is the Nile crocodile, which is severely threatened in the wild.
There
are four species of sea
turtle
which return to Madagascar beaches to lay eggs. There are five
species of land tortoise, four of which are native.
Two species, the plowshare tortoise and the radiated tortoise
are critically endangered. There are captive breeding conservation
efforts in Madagascar for these two species.
Of the are 63 species of gecko on Madagascar, 53 are endemic (native). The Madagascar leaf-tailed gecko is one of the most well known, an amazing example of camouflage.
Two
thirds of the world's chameleon species are found in Madagascar
. There are about 54 species of chameleon in Madagascar. They
are noted for their ability to change color in response to light,
heat, and other stimulus.
Madagascar has more than 60 species of snakes, none of them poisonous. Madagascar has at least 150 species of frogs, all but two endemic to the island.
Visitors
to Madagascar are generally amazed by the wide
variety of rare and beautiful birds, including the Vangas, the
Crested Coua, the colorful Roller bird, over 70 different species
of singing birds and parrots. There are also many waterbirds,
including herons and flamingos. Among the birds of prey there
are eagles and falcons. Three of the world's most endangered birds
of prey exist on Madagascar--two of them only recently rediscovered
after an absence of 60 years: the Madagascar Serpent-Eagle, Madagascar
Red Owl and Madagascar Fish-Eagle.
Click here to find out about how a Madagascar Serpent-Eagle nest was found: http://www.peregrinefund.org/press/madnest.html
Click here to
see a picture of the Madagascar Red Owl:
http://www.owlpages.com/species/tyto/
soumagnei/m_red_owl2.html
Updated January 2004