Where can you find the most interesting and unusual Madagascar animals?
Madagascar’s wildlife is renowned for including some truly spectacular species. Here’s a selection of our favourite animal oddities from the Lost World you may be able to seek on our Madagascar holidays:
A Guide to Weird Animals in Madagascar:
1. Aye-aye
5. Asities
7. Tenrecs
8. Fossa
1. Aye-aye
The aye-aye epitomises all that's weird and wonderful about Madagascar’s wildlife.
The ‘gremlin’ of Madagascar’s forests and largest of all nocturnal primates, the aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) essentially fills the niche occupied on continents by woodpeckers. It's arguably the only primate known to use echolocation in search of food. Although the size of an overgrown house cat, it's furtive and moves quickly, often making it difficult to spot in the wild.
Where to see aye-ayes in Madagascar
The best place to see aye-ayes in Madagascar is Le Palmarium in the eastern lowlands. Some have been released onto a wooded islet and are well habituated to human presence. Radio-collared aye-ayes are being studied at Kianjavato, near Ranomafana, where we can arrange night excursions to track them. From time to time, aye-aye are spotted in the Masoala Peninsula, where Farankaraina was especially rewarding. However in recent years, sightings have decreased there.
Best time to see aye-ayes in Madagascar
Aye-ayes can be seen throughout the year; there is no ‘best time’ really. In the north-east, April-May is said to be rewarding as it coincides with the appearance of a fruit they're partial to i.e. ramy nuts (on species of Canarium tree). Where it exists, ramy nuts constitute a sizeable portion of their otherwise mostly insectivorous diet.
Africa Travel Specialist
"Did you know? Some Malagasy people believe that the aye-aye is evil and a symbol of death. But, in reality, they’re actually just a predominantly solitary, nocturnal species that want to be left alone!"
2. Leaf-nosed snakes
The rarely seen leaf-nosed, spear-nosed or twig-mimic snakes of the genus Langaha are among the most compellingly unique animals in Madagascar. Males tend to have a spear-shaped nasal appendage, while females sport extraordinary, fan-shaped nasal extensions. Southern leaf-nosed snake (Langaha alluaudi) and Ambilobe leaf-nosed snake (Langaha pseudoalluaudi) are seldom encountered. So, Madagascar expert and guide book publisher Hilary Bradt was fortunate to picture the below specimen during a walk in the privately protected, dry deciduous forest at Anjajavy.
PICTURED: Langaha, Anjajavy, image taken by Hilary Bradt
Where to see leaf-nosed snakes in Madagascar
Among the protected areas where these scarce, cryptic and nocturnal spear-nosed snakes can be sought are Andasibe-Mantadia, Ranomafana, Zombitse, Anjajavy and Ankarafantsika.
Our Madagascar Made Easy Deluxe sample itinerary visits the protected rainforests of Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (Perinet) and the deciduous dry forest of Anjajavy. Talented guides will provide the best chances for seeing ‘herps’ (reptiles and frogs) and will work hard to locate wildlife for you.
Best time to see leaf-nosed snakes in Madagascar
The best time to see any ‘herps’ (reptiles and frogs) in Madagascar is from late spring (November) through to summer (March). During that time, reptile activity is higher.
3. Giant jumping rat
A critically endangered species in Madagascar, the endearing giant jumping rat (Hypogeomys antimena) is the island's largest endemic rodent, confined to a worryingly narrow range north of Morondava. Fortunately, the species is breeding well at the Jersey Zoo as one of the subjects of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust’s SAFE projects (Saving Species from Extinction).
Where to see giant jumping rats in Madagascar
The best place to see giant jumping rats in Madagascar is Kirindy Forest.
In the spring and summer months, very lucky visitors accompanied by an experienced guide, may see it hopping about almost like a little wallaby in the dry deciduous forests during night walks. Kirindy is part of the desperately threatened Menabe Antimena Protected Area, a treasure trove for like-minded wildlife enthusiasts.
Best time to see giant jumping rats in Madagascar
Giant jumping rats are very scarce. If you want to try for a sighting, it’d be best in October–November, and then again in April and the beginning of May. We work with the top resident Kirindy guides, who also get info from local conservation personnel as to where there's an accessible active burrow.
4. Leaf-tailed geckos
Among those Madagascar animals that are a firm favourite with visiting wildlife enthusiasts are leaf-tailed geckos (genus Uroplatus). Some pose as dead leaves while others are bark mimics. The satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) is the best-known dead leaf-mimicking species and moves about its rainforest habitat at night, feeding on insects.
Pictured below is one of the bark-mimicking species, the giant leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus). Its bulging, marbled eyes and bright, red mouth give it a strange appearance. If disturbed, it opens its jaws wide and emits a loud distress call. You have a chance to see some specimens on our Classic Madagascar Overland: the RN7 Route and Andasibe tour.
Where to see leaf-tailed geckos in Madagascar
The best places in which to see leaf-tailed geckos in Madagascar are Ranomafana National Park, Montagne d’Ambre National Park and the Nosy Mangabe island reserve off Masoala National Park.
Best time to see leaf-tailed geckos in Madagascar
Leaf-tailed geckos can be seen year-round with the help of skilled and experienced guides. They're nocturnal, and as with herps, they're generally more active in the Malagasy spring and summer months.
5. Asities
The four members of the endemic asity family are among the most intriguing Madagascar animals. Two of them, the Schlegel's asity (Philepitta schlegeli) and velvet asity (Philepitta castanea), look like squat broadbills. The other two, common sunbird-asity (Neodrepanis coruscans) and yellow-bellied sunbird-asity (Neodrepanis hypoxanthus), look like tiny sunbirds. Pictured above is a male velvet asity.
You may be able to locate the bird with your expert guide by looking up into the upper story, where it sits motionless for long periods, and listening to its quick, high-pitched notes.
Where to see asities in Madagascar
The best place to see three of the species in Madagascar is Ranomafana National Park. The velvet and common sunbird asity are fairly frequently observed there. To try for the very rare yellow-bellied sunbird asity, it's necessary to explore the highest elevations of the park. The fourth species, Schlegel’s asity, can be seen on the other side of the island, in Ankarafantsika National Park, as well as at Tsingy de Namoroka National Park and even in Kirindy Forest.
This gravely threatened, tropical dry deciduous forest of Ankarafantsika is the best known ‘stakeout’ for this and many other beguiling species, such as the white-breasted mesite and endangered Van Dam's vanga. It was at Tsingy de Namoroka National Park where the species’ nest was first observed.
Best time to see asities in Madagascar
The best time to see asities in their breeding regalia is from October to January.
During the breeding season, males of all four species develop near-fluorescent blue and green facial caruncles, and they're among the few birds to exhibit 'lek' breeding behaviour.
6. Golden mantella frog
Madagascar boasts an exceptionally diverse frog fauna, with well over 360 species described to date and more awaiting formal classification. Surely the island’s flagship frog is the brightly coloured and critically endangered golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca), restricted to a few pandanus marsh patches in the Andasibe-Mantadia region. Here, a combination of habitat destruction and the illegal trade in exotic Madagascar animal species has pushed this unmistakable creature to the very brink of extinction.
Where to see golden mantella frogs in Madagascar
The best place to see golden mantella frogs in Madagascar is at Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, one of Madagascar’s most visited state-run protected areas and part of our popular Madagascar Wildlife Discovery small group tours. Golden mantella are very rarely seen in the wild as they're so endangered, but adventurous wildlife fans might see the species in marshy areas around Torotorofotsy and on the fringes of Mantadia National Park. Our clients do, however, very much enjoy a visit to the Frog Breeding Centre managed by Association Mitsinjo, where golden mantella is one of the target species.
Best time to see golden mantella frogs in Madagascar
The best time to see golden mantella frogs in Madagascar is January to March, in the austral summer.
7. Tenrecs
Tenrecs are primitive Madagascar mammals, some of which resemble hedgehogs and others of which resemble shrews. The lowland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes nigriceps) raises its punk-like prickles when threatened and will even 'headbutt' would-be predators. Uniquely among mammals, streaked tenrecs use their spines to make high-frequency sounds to communicate. Referred to as 'stridulation', this phenomenon is better known among insects.
Where to see tenrecs in Madagascar
Lowland streaked tenrecs inhabit the coastal rainforests of central-eastern and north-eastern Madagascar. It can be seen relatively easily in Masoala National Park. It even ventures into hotel gardens on the outskirts of the town Maroantsetra, where it can be seen rummaging about at night.
The large common (or tailless) tenrec has become increasingly difficult to spot, but can be seen in the forests at Tsingy de Namoroka and Anjajavy, while lesser hedgehog tenrecs reside in Berenty Private Reserve and the spiny bush around Ifaty.
Best time to see tenrecs in Madagascar
As the larger tenrecs have been heavily hunted, they're more tricky to locate nowadays. Tenrecs can be seen year round but are best sought during the austral spring and summer months.
8. Fossa (Fosa)
Largest of the Madagascar carnivores, the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is a formidable predator of lemurs.
Despite resembling a small, elongated puma, it's actually a relative of mongooses and civets. When fully grown, an individual could reach an impressive six feet in length from nose to tail and weigh upwards of 26 pounds. You may see it moving swiftly through the trees or on the ground. For the most part, fossa are solitary animals.
Where to see fossas in Madagascar
The best place to see fossas in Madagascar is Kirindy Forest in the Menabe Antimena Protected Area. A few individuals are well habituated there and occasionally allow for good photographic opportunities.
Observing these endangered mammals is a wonderful experience. While they're widely distributed in the western dry forests and eastern rainforests, Kirindy remains the only reliable site in which to seek them.
Best time to see fossas in Madagascar
Fossa can be seen year-round, but is more often observed between September and November.
Female fossas are site-faithful. So, during the mating season in early November, they return to the same tall tree where several male suitors court them.
Madagascar and Alternative Africa Product Manager
"During your exploration of Kirindy Forest and other parts of Menabe Antimena Protected Area, you may also be lucky enough to spot more unusual mammals like the striped boky. This is in addition to the mega-rare, critically endangered Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur, smallest of all primates."
Plan Your Madagascar Wildlife Adventure with Rainbow
Discover some of Madagascar's wildlife oddities, from impressive chameleon species in the spiny forests to various endemic birds in the national parks. With our Madagascar Wildlife Holidays, you can cover all three major floristic zones found on the island alongside highly regarded, experienced, personable and professional Malagasy guides.
){kind=icon}