This post was a mistake. I accidentally duplicated the reptile portion of my previous post entitled "Madagascar Part 3: Isalo National Park-herps only " while editing. Oh crap! I cannot delete this post so if you want to see everything herpy (e.g. lizards, snakes and the neat frogs) go to post "Madagascar Part 3: Isalo National Park-herps only ". There is nothing new here. Are you confused?????
Isalo National Park contains a range of mountains that are surrounded by savanna. The scenery is spectacular.
Isalo National Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
Isalo National Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
Isalo National Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
There are a number of canyons with creeks although the surrounding grassy savanna is much drier. The water flow from the creeks provides water for the adjacent rice fields.
Isalo National Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
Okay, I promised you boas so I won't put them off to the end of the narrative like I did with the other snakes in Parts 1 and 2. What do you expect from a lizard guy?
Our national park guide went off on his own into the forest looking for good herps for me to shoot while I looked for "stuff" along a creek. He didn't disappoint as he soon found an impressive Madagascar Tree Boa, Sanzinia madagascariensis volontany.
Sanzinia madagascariensis volontany by mitchberk, on Flickr
Sanzinia madagascariensis volontany by mitchberk, on Flickr
But wait, there's more! If the fantastic Tree Boa wasn't good enough we also came across a ground boa, Acrantophis dumerili, in the road as we were leaving the park at nightfall.
Acrantophis dumerili by mitchberk, on Flickr
Acrantophis dumerili by mitchberk, on Flickr
Now that I got the big snakes out of the way here is a look at the smaller but equally impressive snakes seen in Isalo. Madagascarophis colubrinus was well-behaved for the photo session and didn't attempt to turn tail and run.
Madagascarophis colubrinus by mitchberk, on Flickr
Madagascarophis colubrinus by mitchberk, on Flickr
Madagascarophis colubrinus by mitchberk, on Flickr
I only photographed on other species of snake, the obligatory Mimophis mahfalensis.
Mimophis mahfalensis by mitchberk, on Flickr
As to chameleons, Furcifer oustaleti were found on trees at the interface between the mountains and the savanna as we walked back to our car.
Furcifer oustaleti by mitchberk, on Flickr
Furcifer oustaleti by mitchberk, on Flickr
Furcifer oustaleti by mitchberk, on Flickr
Furcifer oustaleti by mitchberk, on Flickr
Male Furcifer lateralis are green with a whitish lateral stripe. The casque is much smaller than F. oustaleti.
Furcifer lateralis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Furcifer lateralis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Furcifer lateralis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Female Furcifer lateralis are brightly colored with prominent dark circles on its flanks and a white lateral stripe.
Furcifer lateralis, female by mitchberk, on Flickr
Always pay to attention to the entire scene while you are busy photographing your subject including the background. Otherwise you might get some unwanted features in your picture as in my wife's legs in the shot below.
Furcifer lateralis, female by mitchberk, on Flickr
Madagascar Part 3: Isalo National Park-lizards & snake only
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