Apart from the lemurs, Madagascar is home to a peculiar mammalian fauna. Above all, it should be noted the absence of large African herbivores and large predators such as Felidae. Zebus are of African origin as for bush pigs. Among small mammals include the insectivorous belonging to the family of tenrecs.
The shrew gender Microgale and rice tenrecs (Oryzorictes) are among the smallest placental mammals, and it should be noted that they have a peculiar reproduction, with a small number of babies breeded. In addition their sexual maturity can be effective sometimes as young as 2-3 months.
The species as the Microgale Oryzorictes live mostly in the forests of East, where it feed itself of small terrestrial invertebrates and small vertebrates. The largest species of the family Tenrecidés come with thorns and they resemble to the European hedgehogs, this similarity is especially evident with Setifer setosus which is almost a “copy” of the European hedgehog, although they belong to families totally different.
Hemicentetes semispinosus, called “Zorah” is, for its part, partially diurnal specie, and it is easy to observe in the grass around Maroantsetra, northeast of Madagascar. A similar species, H. nigriceps, is typical mountain ranges, such as Andringitra.
Regarding rodents, Madagascar has interesting species, which belong to the subfamily of Nesomyidae. Some 20 species have been identified. The best known of the Malagasy rodents is probably the jumping rat Hypogeomys antimena, who as a small distribution area of dry forest land in the West, near the town of Morondava.
This animal has the size of a rabbit. Based on current forecasts, it seems that the poverty of this species is due to the presence of insectivorous mammals, which have already occupied similar ecological niches. Other rodent species are hardly visible. The easiest to be found is the red forest rat, Nesomys rufus, and tree species of the genus Eliurus ( 8 species currently known ).
Not to forget introduced species such as rats Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus, which now represent a real problem for native wildlife with which they compete. Or the little mouse of houses, Mus musculus present around the island.
Carnivores of Madagascar are represented by the Viverrids and Herpestidae families. The largest specie is the fosa, Cryptoprocta ferox, which has morphology similar to that of cats. It is a predator of lemurs and is very agile for climbing trees. Other species of carnivores is the ring-tailed mongoose Galidia elegans, fairly easy to observe in different forest types. This species moves on couple.
Other species exist as Galidictis fasciata Salanoia concolor, and introduced species by the Indo- Pakistannais: Viverricula indica.
The mongoose Mungotictis decemlineata is only found in dry areas of the West. This is animal sand gray with stripes on the sides. Finally we must not forget the bats with two distinct groups: fruit bats (Megachiroptera) and small insectivorous bats (Microchiroptera). There are three species of Megachiroptera, the dogfish, Pteropus rufus is the largest species (up to 1.5 m wingspan!) encountered in low-lying areas.
