The reptiles are diverse and heterogeneous. If we compare the reptiles of Madagascar with those in Africa, there is a lack of viper, cobra, monitor lizard and python. Overwise Great Island is home to two-thirds of the world’s chameleons, which are represented here by a fairly large number of shapes and colors.
The chameleons
In a rainforest we can find different species of Calumma, which are chameleons the most adapted to the forest and also the most sensitive to land clearing. If Calumma species are more or less related to the forest environment, on the other hand, Furcifer is composed of species generally more adaptable, also living in altered habitats in the dry forests of the west.
The most common species, the panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis), lives in several types of habitats and can also be found in grassy areas. Another species, Furcifer lateralis, is even found in Antananarivo. It should also include the dwarf species of Brookesia, called “ranovary” or “ramilaheloka” in Malagasy. These are small chameleons rather terrestrial and do not have a prehensile tail, like the others.
Geckos and iguanas
Many geckos are in Madagascar. The best known are the diurnal species of the genus Phelsuma, which are usually distinguished by their bright green color more or less decorated with red spots. A number of species live within the forest, while others (such as P. lineata and P. quadriocellata), can also be observed in cities and other areas transformed by man.
Among the geckos, there are very mimetic species such as Uroplatus. Lizards and gender Chalarodon Oplurus typical of arid western and south, are iguanas that have affinities with those of the American continent.
The snakes
We find three of the four species in the world: Boa (B. manditra, B. madagascariensis, B. dumerilii). The fourth species, Boa constrictor, is present in South America. The three Madagascan species are harmless to humans.
Madagascar is also characteristic because it does not really home to venomous snakes.
In reality, there are some who have venom glands, but they are positioned in the posterior part of the mandible, and the snakes called “opistoglyphes” are harmless. Those that can be most easily meet are those belonging to the genus Madagascarophis, named in Malagasy “Lapata”. Other species are also present, but difficult to observe.
Like the snake vine Langaha madagascariensis, remarkable for its extreme mimicry and the fact that males have a sharp appendage, while females have a beak-shaped leaf or the genus Ithycyphus (called “fandrefiala”).
The turtles
We cannot talk about reptiles without recalling Madagascar tortoises. Beautiful and endangered species are present. The best known is the radiated tortoise, Geochelone radiata, typical of southern Madagascar. Although still fairly abundant locally, it is threatened by the capture and road construction. In the North of the island, it is possible to visit the reserve of Ampijoroa where is installed (settled) a project of reproduction of the angonoka (Geochelone yniphora). The center also breeds another species of threatened tortoise, Pyxis planicauda.
The crocodile
In Madagascar, it is also possible to find crocodiles in their wild environment.
