Before I discuss Ankanin'ny Nofy I will show you some scenery and some lizards we came across at stops while driving between Ranomafana and Antsirabe.
The Malagasy have removed much of their forests for agriculture and charcoal production. The valleys are converted into rice fields.
MAD_9057 by mitchberk, on Flickr
The hills are terraced for planting as seen on the right side of the photo.
Rural Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
We made a stop at this rocky, hilly region along the road. The vehicle in the photo is a taxi-brousse loaded with passengers and their belongings.
MAD_9102 by mitchberk, on Flickr
This chameleon was identified as Furcifer minor by our guides. It is a male as denoted by the pair of rostral appendages.
Furcifer minor by mitchberk, on Flickr
The female Furcifer minor lacks the rostral appendages of the male.
Furcifer minor, female by mitchberk, on Flickr
Trachylepis vato was readily found posing upon the rocks.
Trachylepis vato by mitchberk, on Flickr
Another stop was at this small patch of woods on the left side of the highway. As you can see in the picture the Malagasy people have a labor intensive way of life.
Untitled by mitchberk, on Flickr
The female Furcifer lateralis can most aptly be described as drop dead gorgeous.
Furcifer lateralis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Furcifer lateralis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Furcifer lateralis by mitchberk, on Flickr
This Calumma nasutum has a uniquely blue colored rostral appendage and some patches of blue scales on the dorsum of its head.
Calumma nasutum by mitchberk, on Flickr
Male Calumma brevicorne have a rostral appendage which is not found in the female.
Calumma brevicorne, male by mitchberk, on Flickr
Ptychadena mascareniensis
Ptychadena mascareniensis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Frog species? Maybe Heterixalus sp.?
Frog ID? by mitchberk, on Flickr
We had lunch al fresco at an excellent hotel restaurant in Antsirabe. But I could not just sit there when possible new herps could be lurking in the vegetation of the garden or around the hotel. My searching paid off handsomely with two new species of native geckos under my belt.
Phelsuma quadriocellata quadriocellata with its black spot surrounded by a rim of blue just caudal to the forelimbs. A second black spot is just rostral to the hindlimb but obscured in this photo.
Phelsuma quadriocellata quadriocellata by mitchberk, on Flickr
Lygodactylus pictus found the rock walls and foundation of the cottages to its liking.
Lygodactylus pictus by mitchberk, on Flickr
Preying mantis
Preying Mantis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Dragonfly
Dragonfly by mitchberk, on Flickr
Now off to Ankanin'ny Nofy, which is located on the Pangalanes Canal just inland to the east coast of Madagascar. Our hotel can only be reached by boat.
Untitled by mitchberk, on Flickr
It took two hours to travel by our motor boat to the hotel but a dugout canoe would have taken much, much longer.
Dugout canoe in Pangalane Canal by mitchberk, on Flickr
The chameleon du jour at Ankanin'ny Nofy is Furcifer pardalis, which is one of the largest and most colorful chameleons.
Furcifer pardalis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Furcifer pardalis
Furcifer pardalis, male by mitchberk, on Flickr
Furcifer pardalis, male
Furcifer pardalis, male by mitchberk, on Flickr
Furcifer pardalis, male
Furcifer pardalis, male by mitchberk, on Flickr
Female Furcifer pardalis are not as colorful as the males.
Furcifer pardalis, female by mitchberk, on Flickr
Juvenile Furcifer pardalis
Furcifer pardalis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Enough with the chameleons!
Geckos:
Here is a different species of day gecko, Phelsuma laticauda on the wall of the restaurant. Love the blue ring around the eye.
Phelsuma laticauda by mitchberk, on Flickr
Keep those eyes moist Phelsuma laticauda!
Phelsuma laticauda at Hotel Palmarium by mitchberk, on Flickr
Phelsuma laticauda
Phelsuma laticauda by mitchberk, on Flickr
The large day gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis in the garden.
Phelsuma madagascariensis by mitchberk, on Flickr
A gravid Lygodactylus miops photographed during a night walk.
Lygodactylus miops at Ankanin'ny Nofy, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Ebenavia inunguis found during a night walk.
Ebenavia inunguis at Ankanin'ny Nofy, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
The fish-scale gecko Geckolepis maculata on the ceiling of our bungalow. This is another example of the genus Geckolepis that can shed its scales in response to danger. Tail breakage is a good escape mechanism but leaving scales in the predator's jaws while the prey scurries away from danger is not bad either. Geckolepis has both defense mechanisms. This individual has a regenerated tail.
Geckolepis maculata by mitchberk, on Flickr
Geckolepis maculata by mitchberk, on Flickr
Iguanids:
A population of spiny-tail Oplurus cuvieri were located along a stretch of beach and in the garden area.
Oplurus cuvieri by mitchberk, on Flickr
Oplurus cuvieri can be differentiated from the similar appearing Oplurus cyclurus by the presence on the tail of a ring of small scales intercalated between rings of large spiny scales. Only large spiny scales are found on the tail of Oplurus cyclurus.
Oplurus cuvieri tail by mitchberk, on Flickr
Oplurus cuvieri by mitchberk, on Flickr
Oplurus cuvieri by mitchberk, on Flickr
Oplurus cuvieri by mitchberk, on Flickr
Snakes:
Stenophis arctifasciatus
Stenophis arctifasciatus by mitchberk, on Flickr
Madagascarophis colubrinus
Madagascarophis colubrinus by mitchberk, on Flickr
Acrantophis madagascariensis
Acrantophis madagascariensis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Much to my utter delight , this female Langaha madagascariensis was found on the hotel property by Torsten of Tanala Horizon tour company . Unbelievable find! The female has a spiny rostral appendage whereas the male has a spear-like rostral appendage. Male snake next trip?
Langaha madagascariensis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Langaha madagascariensis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Langaha madagascariensis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Leioheterodon madagascariensis
Leioheterodon madagascariensis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Lucas Bustamante of Tropical Herping holding Leioheterodon madagascariensis.
Leioheterodon madagascariensis by mitchberk, on Flickr
Turtle:
Radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) are kept captive on the hotel grounds. It would have been wonderful to have seen them in the wild. The pet trade and Malagasy desire for dinner makes that highly unlikely.
Radiated tortoise by mitchberk, on Flickr
Frogs:
Heterixalus punctatus
Heterixalus punctatus by mitchberk, on Flickr
Heterixalus betsileo
Heterixalus betsileo by mitchberk, on Flickr
Guibemantis species?
Guibemantis species? by mitchberk, on Flickr
Lemurs: Ankanin'ny Nofy has many species of free ranging lemurs habituated to humans.
Black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) was my favorite lemur species because of its antics. What a bunch of characters.
Black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) howling. What a sound!
Black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Black and white ruffed lemur by mitchberk, on Flickr
Common Brown Lemur (Eulemur fulvus)
Common Brown Lemur (Eulemur fulvus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Common Brown Lemur (Eulemur fulvus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Red-bellied Lemur (Eulemur rubriventer), female
Red-bellied Lemur (Eulemur rubriventer), female by mitchberk, on Flickr
The male Red-bellied Lemur (Eulemur rubriventer) has a white tear-drop patch of fur ventromedial to its eye.
Red-bellied Lemur, male (Eulemur rubriventer) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Cockerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli)
Cockerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Cockerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Cockerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus)
Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Indri
Indri indri by mitchberk, on Flickr
Indri
Indri indri by mitchberk, on Flickr
Black Lemur (Eulemur macaco), female. The color of the black lemur is certainly sexually dimorphic!
Black Lemur (Eulemur macaco), female by mitchberk, on Flickr
This lemur hybrid has gorgeous fur color.
Lemur hybrid by mitchberk, on Flickr
Hybrid lemur by mitchberk, on Flickr
Hands down the ugliest and most unusual lemur is awarded to the aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis). These fellows are very shy and nocturnal and are secluded on an island. It looks like something from a Star Wars movie.
Aye-aye by mitchberk, on Flickr
Invertebrates:
Cyligramma disturbans moth
Cyligramma disturbans moth by mitchberk, on Flickr
Pair of moths (species?) making love.
Moths mating at at Ankanin'ny Nofy, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Butterfly (species?)
Butterfly at Ankanin'ny Nofy, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Butterfly (species?)
Butterfly by mitchberk, on Flickr
Dragonfly (species?)
Dragonfly by mitchberk, on Flickr
Spider
Spider at Ankanin'ny Nofy, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Large snail
Snail at Ankanin'ny Nofy, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Bluish-colored mushroom
Blue mushroom by mitchberk, on Flickr
Vibrant red-colored mushroom
Mushroom by mitchberk, on Flickr
Sunset over the lake.
Sunset, Ankanin'ny Nofy, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Time to head back out on the Pangalanes Canal to go to our next stop, Andasibe National Park. We used the boat and not the dugout canoe.
Dugout canoe at Ankanin'ny Nofy, Madagascar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Madagascar Part 6: Ankanin'ny Nofy
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Calfirecap
- Posts: 638
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Re: Madagascar Part 6: Ankanin'ny Nofy
Absolutely amazing series. Great photos and mind-blowing that you were able to ID everything. Thank you for the posts!
- Paul Freed
- Posts: 130
- Joined: November 10th, 2013, 12:14 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest (Oregon) U.S.
Re: Madagascar Part 6: Ankanin'ny Nofy
Simply amazing post, Mitch! Not only did you see some spectacular animals, but your photography is outstanding. Seeing a Langaha in the wild is really a treat! I really enjoyed all your lemur photos, especially the sifakas, but photographing an Aye-aye in the wild is just mind blowing. And you saw a really nice representation of snakes as well (by the way, I'm guessing you meant to list Acrantophis madagascariensis, and not Sanzinia madagascariensis). Thanks for bringing back some great memories!
-Paul
-Paul
Re: Madagascar Part 6: Ankanin'ny Nofy
Paul,
Thanks much for the compliments. I put in so many hours shooting and reviewing my photos that it is nice to know that they are appreciated.
I checked out the pictures of the boa and I agree with you that it is Acrantophis maadagascariensis. Hey, that makes one more species to add to my trip list!
Thanks much for the compliments. I put in so many hours shooting and reviewing my photos that it is nice to know that they are appreciated.
I checked out the pictures of the boa and I agree with you that it is Acrantophis maadagascariensis. Hey, that makes one more species to add to my trip list!
Paul Freed wrote:Simply amazing post, Mitch! Not only did you see some spectacular animals, but your photography is outstanding. Seeing a Langaha in the wild is really a treat! I really enjoyed all your lemur photos, especially the sifakas, but photographing an Aye-aye in the wild is just mind blowing. And you saw a really nice representation of snakes as well (by the way,Thanks for bringing back some great memories!I'm guessing you meant to list Acrantophis madagascariensis, and not Sanzinia madagascariensis).
-Paul
- Paul Freed
- Posts: 130
- Joined: November 10th, 2013, 12:14 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest (Oregon) U.S.
Re: Madagascar Part 6: Ankanin'ny Nofy
Mitch,
You can also add another species of mammal to your list, the first and second photos of the 'Black Lemur', are actually an Indri (the third photo of the female is a Black Lemur).
-Paul
You can also add another species of mammal to your list, the first and second photos of the 'Black Lemur', are actually an Indri (the third photo of the female is a Black Lemur).
-Paul
Re: Madagascar Part 6: Ankanin'ny Nofy
What a Beautiful Treat thank you for sharing, I enjoyed the prosimians as much as the herps.
Sifakas trip me out.
Sifakas trip me out.
Re: Madagascar Part 6: Ankanin'ny Nofy
Paul Freed wrote:Mitch,
You can also add another species of mammal to your list, the first and second photos of the 'Black Lemur', are actually an Indri (the third photo of the female is a Black Lemur).
-Paul
Paul,
You are correct once again. The black lemur with some whitish regions are Indri.
Here are some different Indri pictures taken at Andasibe and a male black lemur for comparison.
Indri indri by mitchberk, on Flickr
Indri indri by mitchberk, on Flickr
Here is a definitive male black lemur
Black Lemur (Eulemur macaco), male by mitchberk, on Flickr
Thanks for your good eye. I have corrected the photo labeling.
Mitch
Re: Madagascar Part 6: Ankanin'ny Nofy
Wow, Stenophis, Langaha, and an Aye-aye all in the same area! Just fantastic. Was the Aye-aye lured to a particular location with food, or did you just happen to see one?
John
John