Anjay Community Park is characterized by huge granite formations and contains a lake.
Anjay Community Park, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Anjay Community Park, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Skinks:
Along the road to the park I spotted this magnificently colored Trachylepis vato perched on a rock. Who knew that the colors black, white, and brown could look so good.
Trachylepis vato by mitchberk, on Flickr
The very common skink Trachylepis gravenhorstii made its usual appearance but it is always a great subject to photograph.
Trachylepis gravenhorstii by mitchberk, on Flickr
Gehrrosaurids:
I was photographing an impressive Oplurus quadrimaculata while I was hanging over the edge of a cliff when the local guide drew my attention to a Zonosaurus madagascariensis emerging from underneath a rock crevice. I waited for a better shot but it never did emerge further than shown in the picture below. No tail for this tale.
Zonosaurus madagascariensis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Iguanids:
Here is the Oplurus quadrimaculatus that I was shooting on the side of the cliff. This species does not have the spiny tail of Oplurus cyclurus.
Oplurus quadrimaculatus by mitchberk, on Flickr
Geckos:
The local guide spotted this Paroedura bastardi hanging from the underside of a rock during the afternoon as we hiked along the trail.
Paroedura bastardi by mitchberk, on Flickr
The non-native gecko found at our hotel was Hemidactylus frenatus.
Hemidactylus frenatus by mitchberk, on Flickr
The chameleon du jour at Anjay Park was Furcifer oustaleti.
Furcifer oustaleti by mitchberk, on Flickr
Snakes:
The seemingly ubiquitous Mimophis mahfalensis was observed.
Mimophis mahfalensis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Frogs:
Ptychadena mascareniensis with vertebral green stripe.
Untitled by mitchberk, on Flickr- Ptychadena mascareniensis
Ptychadena mascareniensis without vertebral green stripe. Yes it is the same species.
Untitled by mitchberk, on Flickr-Ptychadena mascareniensis
Anjay Community Park is noted for its Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) so I must include a photo of one here.
Ring-tail Lemur by mitchberk, on Flickr
Invertebrates:
There are some really curious appearing invertebrates in this park. The local park guide did not know if I was more excited about observing the herps or the invertebrates.
The white feathery looking "stuff" at the caudal end of this insect is really a waxy secretion, which readily falls off when the insect was handled. Oops. I do not know the purpose of the orange-colored rostral appendage.
Insect, Anjay Community Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
Nymph of flatid leaf bug. The white stuff is also a waxy secretion. This insect was found within a large group on a tree branch.
Insect at Anjay Community Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
This preying mantis has an incredibly sinister, devilish looking head (She-devil). The local guide said it was rare. Jose from Tropical Herping found at the start of the trail adjacent to the parking space.
Preying Mantis, Anjay Community Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
Different non-devilish appearing preying mantis which provides tasty snacks for chameleons.
Preying Mantis, Anjay Community Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
Grasshopper (species?)
Grasshopper at Anjay Community Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
Colorful beetle
Insect at Anjay Community Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
Red-legged Golden Orb-Web spider (Nephilia inaurata). These were commonly seen in the eastern rainforests.
Red-legged Spider at Anjay Community Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
Caterpillars are always intriguing creatures.
Caterpillar, Anjay Community Park by mitchberk, on Flickr
Dragonfly (species?)
Dragonfly, Ambalavao by mitchberk, on Flickr
And so ends our day at Anjay Community Park with two new lizard species and some incredible looking insects.
Sunset near Anjay Community Park, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Sunset near Anjay Community Park, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Madagascar Part 4: Anjay Community Park
Moderator: Scott Waters
- SurfinHerp
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Re: Madagascar Part 4: Anjay Community Park
Very nice post! I especially like the chameleon and ring-tailed lemur.
Re: Madagascar Part 4: Anjay Community Park
Surfinherp,
If you like chameleons than you should like mymy post from Ranomafana. We saw more and varied chameleon species there than anywhere else on our trip. Glad you enjoyed my post.
If you like chameleons than you should like mymy post from Ranomafana. We saw more and varied chameleon species there than anywhere else on our trip. Glad you enjoyed my post.
- Calfirecap
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Re: Madagascar Part 4: Anjay Community Park
My compliments to you on your amazing Madagascar series. That Nymph Flatid Leaf bug was unreal!
Re: Madagascar Part 4: Anjay Community Park
Place names in Madagascar are not especially standardized -- when I visited this park they told us it was "Anjaha Community Park", but I have since been told it is "Anja Community Park". I had not heard the "Anjay" variation until now, but i't definitely the same place -- I would recognize those rocks anywhere.
That Trachylepis vato is a stunner!
I'm not sure if the Zonosaurus at Anja/ha/y are Z. madagascariensis or Z. laticaudatus (or something else?). See my comments at http://www.wildherps.com/species/Z.laticaudatus.html.
John
That Trachylepis vato is a stunner!
I'm not sure if the Zonosaurus at Anja/ha/y are Z. madagascariensis or Z. laticaudatus (or something else?). See my comments at http://www.wildherps.com/species/Z.laticaudatus.html.
John