Animals of Madagascar: a unique fauna of the island

In 1500, by chance, the island of Madagascar was discovered. The team of the Portuguese navigator Diogo Dias was hit by a storm, which forced them to approach the only nearby land. Thus, an island with an extraordinary nature and rich fauna was discovered.

The Unique Island

Madagascar is located near the coast of East Africa, from which it separated more than 160 million years ago. Its unique landscape, which includes mountains, lakes, desert areas, jungles, has contributed to the preservation of a huge number of species of animals. On the island there are more than 250 thousand, and most of them are endemic, i.e., not found in other areas of the globe. The fauna of Madagascar is unique. It is mainly represented by small animals and reptiles.

Many species of island fauna are now on the verge of extinction. People extract minerals, cut down the jungle, causing the animals to suffer.

Recently, the number of reserves and specially protected areas has increased, where all conditions for the free existence of unique fauna are created. Scientists work by tracking various animal populations and fighting for their prosperity.

Madagascar - the realm of lemurs

The largest part of the island fauna consists of such animals as Madagascar, like lemurs. The indigenous people treat them with special respect, since they believe that the souls of the deceased are being transferred to the body of the semi-deified. More than 20 species of these animals live on the island.

The lemurs are the families in which the female dominates. These cute creatures look like their ancestors - monkeys, but they have shorter limbs and a pointed muzzle. Nature has improved their appearance by adding large eyes. Such a mechanism allows night animals to orientate perfectly when producing food. Eat small animals mainly insects and vegetation. They are very friendly, brave and curious.

Types of lemurs

Lemurs of kata are the most striking appearance. They stand out with a white muzzle with dark "glasses" and a long striped tail. In size, representatives of this species hardly exceed the domestic cat. Due to the almost complete absence of predators, such animals of Madagascar, as kata, received the greatest distribution.

Inhabit on Madagascar is the smallest primacy - mouse lemur. The body length of the baby is about 9 cm, with the tail - 27 cm. This species was discovered in 2000.

Another interesting representative - a rukonozhka. Another name for the animal is ah. He dwells on trees and produces his food, using excessively long and tenacious fingers. The animal taps trunks on the object of the larvae, applying echolocation. His appearance is not particularly attractive: a furry hair that sticks out in all directions, yellow eyes wide apart and large semicircular ears.

Indri is the largest lemur. Its weight reaches 10 kg, and height - 90 cm. Despite the large size, the animal deftly climbs trees. Each family has a strict area, which it protects by making loud noises.

The Swamp Tenrek

The most elusive animals of Madagascar, strangely adapted to life in the water. The extremities of the tenreck are equipped with membranes and a large amount of muscle tissue. The animal dexterously runs through the shallows, catching tadpoles and fishes. For hunting, he uses vibrissa - sensitive antennae, which, as a locator, catch water fluctuations. The appearance of the tenrek is also interesting: its size is about 15 cm, and the mixture of wool and needles covers the entire body. The animal looks like a small hedgehog, in fact it belongs to the shrews.

Rare birds

The island is rich with birds - about 150 species live there, of which one third is endemic. The rarest animals of Madagascar from the class of birds are red-headed ducks. The lack of food and the drying up of reservoirs due to human activities put this species of ducks at risk of extinction. It was believed that these birds disappeared forever, but in 2006 a small population of 20 animals was found. For 8 years of successful and painstaking work of zoologists it was possible to increase 4 times. He is very handsome, he has a red-brown body, a gray beak and a white abdomen.

A real unique is the blue cuckoo. The bird has an incredibly attractive appearance with rich blue plumage. Unlike relatives, she hatch posterity on her own. For its remarkable appearance, this endemic was endangered by complete extermination by poachers.

Fossa

Who would have thought that the largest island predator is only 1.5 meters long, half of which is a long tail. Strong muscular beasts have reddish-brown hair. Externally, these animals of Madagascar look like a cat and marten, but belong to the family of viverwars. The tail of the fossa, coupled with the retractable claws, allows it to deftly climb up steep rocks and trees in search of prey. The population of these predators is very small and is on the verge of extinction.

Amphibians

The island of Madagascar is replete with a huge number of species of amphibians, among which the main are frogs, lizards and chameleons.

To rare and endangered species are leaf-tailed geckos. Thanks to their incredible appearance, they easily avoid outsiders. The amphibian reaches a length of 13 cm and has a tail hardly distinguishable from the dried leaf. The body of the amphibian is covered with skin resembling a tree bark.

Panther chameleons are distinguished by a bright coloration, which is easily changed due to the special structure of the body cells. They use their skill for disguise and communication. Noteworthy is the ability to simultaneously observe two eyes for different objects of hunting. Before the release of the sticky tongue, the chameleon focuses on the target.

In the humid rainforests of the island live a lot of frogs. The most notable are tomato narrow-rods. Females of this species have a rich color of ripe tomato and black stripes on the sides of the trunk. When there is a danger, their skin gives off an annoying secret.

The vast territory of Madagascar has not yet been fully explored. Every year new species of animals are discovered. Scientists are achieving good results in increasing the population of endangered endemic islands.