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  • Woman whose family live in the protected forest of Daraina, home of the Golden-crowned sifaka or Tattersall's sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) in North-east MADAGASCAR. Although FANANBY a local Madagascar NGO is working in Daraina to proclaim this forest as a protected site for the sifakas many people still live there and continue with slash-and-burn agriculture or mining which is encroaching into the little forest that remains and thus putting the long-term conservation of this already threatened species at more risk.
    MA1801 Woman in Daraina forest.NEF
  • Hubbard's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur hubbardi) - previously assumed to be L. ruficaudatus<br />
Zombitse Reserve (high plateau between Isalo National Park and Tulear) MADAGASCAR. This reserve, only 21,500ha constitutes the last remnants of transition forest between the west & south floristic domains. It is a medium-sized nocturnal lemur with a long tail and one of the largest of the lepilemur species. Length: 500-560mm; Weight 500-800 grams. They cling vertically to tree trunks and jump large distances with their powerful hind legs. Tree holes or tree forks are the preferred sleep sites where they can be seen during the day resting. They are usually found singularly except during breeding season and when they have offspring. They are primarily folivorous although the fruits of some trees are also taken. It can tolerate leaves with high concentrations of potential toxins during the dry season and is even able to subsist on dry leaves. It may in some circumstances re-ingest its own faeces. During daytime resting this species is also known to have one of the lowest metabolic rates of any mammal. This is raised substantially prior to the night-time activity. This is a further adaption to help its survival on a very poor quality diet and also live at relatively high densities. A single young is born around October. At first the infant is carried by its mother in her mouth, it later clings to the fur on her back. When it is older still, the mother may leave or 'park' it in a tree hole or similar 'safe' site while she forages. They are preyed upon by  Madagascar long-eared owl (Asio madagascariensis), Madagascar harrier-hawk (Polyboroides radiatus) and fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox). The latter two being able to excavate it from its daytime holes.<br />
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: Dry deciduous forest of w. Madagascar. Onilahy River inland to Zombitse and n to the Manombolo River.<br />
THREATS: Forest fires are common in its range to increase cattle pasture. Also hunted.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA6643_Hubbard's_Sportive_Lemur.jpg
  • Hubbard's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur hubbardi) - previously assumed to be L. ruficaudatus<br />
Zombitse Reserve (high plateau between Isalo National Park and Tulear) MADAGASCAR. This reserve, only 21,500ha constitutes the last remnants of transition forest between the west & south floristic domains. It is a medium-sized nocturnal lemur with a long tail and one of the largest of the lepilemur species. Length: 500-560mm; Weight 500-800 grams. They cling vertically to tree trunks and jump large distances with their powerful hind legs. Tree holes or tree forks are the preferred sleep sites where they can be seen during the day resting. They are usually found singularly except during breeding season and when they have offspring. They are primarily folivorous although the fruits of some trees are also taken. It can tolerate leaves with high concentrations of potential toxins during the dry season and is even able to subsist on dry leaves. It may in some circumstances re-ingest its own faeces. During daytime resting this species is also known to have one of the lowest metabolic rates of any mammal. This is raised substantially prior to the night-time activity. This is a further adaption to help its survival on a very poor quality diet and also live at relatively high densities. A single young is born around October. At first the infant is carried by its mother in her mouth, it later clings to the fur on her back. When it is older still, the mother may leave or 'park' it in a tree hole or similar 'safe' site while she forages. They are preyed upon by  Madagascar long-eared owl (Asio madagascariensis), Madagascar harrier-hawk (Polyboroides radiatus) and fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox). The latter two being able to excavate it from its daytime holes.<br />
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: Dry deciduous forest of w. Madagascar. Onilahy River inland to Zombitse and n to the Manombolo River.<br />
THREATS: Forest fires are common in its range to increase cattle pasture. Also hunted.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA6642_Hubbard's_Sportive_Lemur.jpg
  • Milne-Edward's sportive lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi) Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve. Western MADAGASCAR<br />
HABITAT: Dry deciduous forest. This species is restricted to the west and north-west of Madagascar. <br />
These are medium-sized nocturnal lemurs with long tails. Weight 600-800 grams. They cling vertically to tree trunks and jump large distances with their powerful hind legs. Tree holes are the preferred sleep sites where they can be seen during the day sunning themselves. They are usually found singularly but as many as 4 individuals can be found sharing large tree holes. They feed mostly on leaves, although some fruits, seeds and flowers are consumed. They have been observed taking moths.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR.<br />
THREATS: Habitat distruction from burning for more cattle pastures. Hunting in some areas.<br />
STATUS: Threatened due to small range and the above threats.
    MA2973_Milne-Edward's_sportive_lemur.jpg
  • Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) 'dancing' across the ground.  They only do this when there is a clearing - they prefer to move from tree to tree by leaping.<br />
Berenty Reserve, Southern MADAGASCAR<br />
These are large (length 900-1075mm and weight: 3-4kg), vertically clinging and leaping lemurs. They are diurnal and live in mixed multi mail / multi female groups of up to 14 individuals. Verreaux's sifaka feed primarily on leaves, fruit and flowers. They have one young born between August and September. At first the infant clings to the mother's front then as it gets larger rides on her back.<br />
DISTRIBUTION: Forested regions from Tsiribihina River in the west, south to the Tolagnaro area in the south-east and inland as far as Isalo Massif. They live in Dry deciduous forests in the west and Xerophytic spiny and gallery forests in the south.<br />
THREATENED: The various habitats in which this species are found are all becoming increasingly fragmented due cutting for timber,  firewood and production of charcoal. Although it is 'fady' or taboo to hunt this species amoung some tribal groups others especially around Isalo do hunt it and in this area it is known as 'sifaka for the cooking pot'.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA4905_Verreaux'_sifaka.jpg
  • Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) 'dancing' across the ground.  They only do this when there is a clearing - they prefer to move from tree to tree by leaping.<br />
Berenty Reserve, Southern MADAGASCAR<br />
These are large (length 900-1075mm and weight: 3-4kg), vertically clinging and leaping lemurs. They are diurnal and live in mixed multi mail / multi female groups of up to 14 individuals. Verreaux's sifaka feed primarily on leaves, fruit and flowers. They have one young born between August and September. At first the infant clings to the mother's front then as it gets larger rides on her back.<br />
DISTRIBUTION: Forested regions from Tsiribihina River in the west, south to the Tolagnaro area in the south-east and inland as far as Isalo Massif. They live in Dry deciduous forests in the west and Xerophytic spiny and gallery forests in the south.<br />
THREATENED: The various habitats in which this species are found are all becoming increasingly fragmented due cutting for timber,  firewood and production of charcoal. Although it is 'fady' or taboo to hunt this species amoung some tribal groups others especially around Isalo do hunt it and in this area it is known as 'sifaka for the cooking pot'.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA4753_Verreaux's_sifaka.jpg
  • Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) 'dancing' across the ground.  They only do this when there is a clearing - they prefer to move from tree to tree by leaping.<br />
Berenty Reserve, Southern MADAGASCAR<br />
These are large (length 900-1075mm and weight: 3-4kg), vertically clinging and leaping lemurs. They are diurnal and live in mixed multi mail / multi female groups of up to 14 individuals. Verreaux's sifaka feed primarily on leaves, fruit and flowers. They have one young born between August and September. At first the infant clings to the mother's front then as it gets larger rides on her back.<br />
DISTRIBUTION: Forested regions from Tsiribihina River in the west, south to the Tolagnaro area in the south-east and inland as far as Isalo Massif. They live in Dry deciduous forests in the west and Xerophytic spiny and gallery forests in the south.<br />
THREATENED: The various habitats in which this species are found are all becoming increasingly fragmented due cutting for timber,  firewood and production of charcoal. Although it is 'fady' or taboo to hunt this species amoung some tribal groups others especially around Isalo do hunt it and in this area it is known as 'sifaka for the cooking pot'.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA4900_Verreaux'_sifaka.jpg
  • Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) 'dancing' across the ground.  They only do this when there is a clearing - they prefer to move from tree to tree by leaping.<br />
Berenty Reserve, Southern MADAGASCAR<br />
These are large (length 900-1075mm and weight: 3-4kg), vertically clinging and leaping lemurs. They are diurnal and live in mixed multi mail / multi female groups of up to 14 individuals. Verreaux's sifaka feed primarily on leaves, fruit and flowers. They have one young born between August and September. At first the infant clings to the mother's front then as it gets larger rides on her back.<br />
DISTRIBUTION: Forested regions from Tsiribihina River in the west, south to the Tolagnaro area in the south-east and inland as far as Isalo Massif. They live in Dry deciduous forests in the west and Xerophytic spiny and gallery forests in the south.<br />
THREATENED: The various habitats in which this species are found are all becoming increasingly fragmented due cutting for timber,  firewood and production of charcoal. Although it is 'fady' or taboo to hunt this species amoung some tribal groups others especially around Isalo do hunt it and in this area it is known as 'sifaka for the cooking pot'.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA4906_Verreaux'_sifaka.jpg
  • Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) 'dancing' across the ground.  They only do this when there is a clearing - they prefer to move from tree to tree by leaping.<br />
Berenty Reserve, Southern MADAGASCAR<br />
These are large (length 900-1075mm and weight: 3-4kg), vertically clinging and leaping lemurs. They are diurnal and live in mixed multi mail / multi female groups of up to 14 individuals. Verreaux's sifaka feed primarily on leaves, fruit and flowers. They have one young born between August and September. At first the infant clings to the mother's front then as it gets larger rides on her back.<br />
DISTRIBUTION: Forested regions from Tsiribihina River in the west, south to the Tolagnaro area in the south-east and inland as far as Isalo Massif. They live in Dry deciduous forests in the west and Xerophytic spiny and gallery forests in the south.<br />
THREATENED: The various habitats in which this species are found are all becoming increasingly fragmented due cutting for timber,  firewood and production of charcoal. Although it is 'fady' or taboo to hunt this species amoung some tribal groups others especially around Isalo do hunt it and in this area it is known as 'sifaka for the cooking pot'.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA4751_Verreaux's_sifaka.jpg
  • Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) 'dancing' across the ground.  They only do this when there is a clearing - they prefer to move from tree to tree by leaping.<br />
Berenty Reserve, Southern MADAGASCAR<br />
These are large (length 900-1075mm and weight: 3-4kg), vertically clinging and leaping lemurs. They are diurnal and live in mixed multi mail / multi female groups of up to 14 individuals. Verreaux's sifaka feed primarily on leaves, fruit and flowers. They have one young born between August and September. At first the infant clings to the mother's front then as it gets larger rides on her back.<br />
DISTRIBUTION: Forested regions from Tsiribihina River in the west, south to the Tolagnaro area in the south-east and inland as far as Isalo Massif. They live in Dry deciduous forests in the west and Xerophytic spiny and gallery forests in the south.<br />
THREATENED: The various habitats in which this species are found are all becoming increasingly fragmented due cutting for timber,  firewood and production of charcoal. Although it is 'fady' or taboo to hunt this species amoung some tribal groups others especially around Isalo do hunt it and in this area it is known as 'sifaka for the cooking pot'.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA4899_Verreaux'_sifaka.jpg
  • Crowned Lemur (Eulemur coronatus) female with baby. Ankarana Special Reserve. Northern MADAGASCAR.<br />
They are sexually dichromatic and other than the black lemur this is the most obviously sexually dichromatic lemur species and is also the smallest member of the genus. They are medium sized lemurs that adopt horizontal body postures. Length 750-850mm and weight 2,5-1,8kg. They are usually diurnal but can be active during the night. They live in groups of 5 to 15 individuals that contain several adult males and females and offspring.  The females tend to be dominant. Their home ranges are small and overlap with other groups. Although foraging occurs at all levels of the forest from the ground up to the canopy they appear to prefer the lower levels and understory. This probably reduces competition between the Sanford's brown lemur that usually occures in the same areas and feed in the upper levels. During dry and wet seasons fruit makes up their main diet. In the dry season flowers and young leaves are also taken.<br />
They are predatored upon by fossa, crocodiles and large raptors.<br />
DISTRIBUTION: Restricted to the northern tip of Madagascar including the National park of Montagne d'Ambre, Ankarana Special Reserve, Analamera Special Reserve and Daraina Protected area.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR.<br />
THREATS: Direct distruction of their habitat for agriculture and logging. They are hunted too.
    MA768_Crowned_lemurs.jpg
  • Baobab (Adansonia za) and rainbow.  Berenty Reserve, Southern MADAGASCAR<br />
Flowers between November and June<br />
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: West of Fort Dauphin up to Analalava. Prefers calcareous soils and is the only species in the spiny forest on limestone of the Mahafaly Plateau in the deep south.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR<br />
There are eight baobab species in the world. 6 are endemic to Madagascar, one from Africa and one from Australia. Baobabs probably evolved in Madagascar after Gondwanaland split and the Africa and Australian species must have arisen from colonising fruits floating across the Indian Ocean. In Madagascar the 6 species have evolved to fit their own niche within the dry forest zones. The 7th (African) species was introduced by Arab traders and is planted in some of the town in the north west.They are dryland plants and are 'drought survivors' and are able to store water from a sporadic downpour very efficiently within the soft, porous  wood of their big, fat trunks. They are quite fire resistant.
    MA4777_Baobab.jpg
  • Panning for gold. This mining is now illegal as it is taking place in the protected forest of Daraina which is the habitat for the<br />
Golden-crowned sifaka or Tattersall's sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) in North-east MADAGASCAR<br />
FANANBY a local Madagascar NGO is working in Daraina to proclaim a protected site of about 20,000 ha. The gold mining is still quite common in the forest and trees are falling over as the ground is littered with deep pits from the excavations of these miners.
    1941 Gold panning.NEF
  • Panning for gold. This mining is now illegal as it is taking place in the protected forest of Daraina which is the habitat for the<br />
Golden-crowned sifaka or Tattersall's sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) in North-east MADAGASCAR<br />
FANANBY a local Madagascar NGO is working in Daraina to proclaim a protected site of about 20,000 ha. The gold mining is still quite common in the forest and trees are falling over as the ground is littered with deep pits from the excavations of these miners.
    1945 Gold panning.NEF
  • Antandroy woman. This group of people live in the 'spiny' forest region of Southern MADAGASCAR
    MA4184 Antandroy woman.NEF
  • Antandroy woman. This group of people live in the 'spiny' forest region of Southern MADAGASCAR
    MA4807 Antandroy woman.NEF
  • Antandroy child. This group of people live in the 'spiny' forest region of Southern MADAGASCAR
    MA5149 Antandroy child.NEF
  • Antandroy man wearing hat made from goat skin. These traditional hats are now rare to see. These 'people of thorns' live in the 'spiny' forests of Southern MADAGASCAR. <br />
THREATENED HABITAT<br />
MADAGASCAR
    MA5199 Antandroy man.NEF
  • Antandroy woman collecting firewood. The braided and knotted hairstyle is typical of these people. Their traditional houses are made from the Endemic Didiereacaea plants. These 'people of thorns' live in the 'spiny' forests of Southern Madagascar and are mainly cattle herders - their ancestors coming from mainland Africa.<br />
THREATENED HABITAT<br />
MADAGASCAR
    MA5359 Antandroy woman.NEF
  • Antandroy man wearing traditional shaped pointed hat made from palm leaves. These traditional hats are now rare to see. The traditional houses are made from the Endemic Didiereacaea plants. These 'people of thorns' live in the 'spiny' forests of Southern Madagascar and are mainly cattle herders - their ancestors coming from mainland Africa.<br />
THREATENED HABITAT<br />
MADAGASCAR
    MA5353 Antandroy man.NEF
  • Antandroy herdsman wearing hat made from goat skin. These traditional hats are now rare to see. His shoes are hand-made from Zebu skin. The gourd is for storing water or milk and the top is closed off with a corn cob. These 'people of thorns' live in the 'spiny' forests of Southern MADAGASCAR. They are mainly Zebu (cattle) herders, their ancestors coming from mainland Africa.<br />
THREATENED HABITAT<br />
MADAGASCAR
    MA5445 Antandroy herdsman.NEF
  • Antandroy man wearing hat made from the pith of cactus pads. These traditional hats are now rare to see. The traditional houses are made from the Endemic Didiereacaea plants. These 'people of thorns' live in the 'spiny' forests of Southern Madagascar and are mainly cattle herders - their ancestors coming from mainland Africa.<br />
THREATENED HABITAT<br />
MADAGASCAR
    MA5343 Antandroy man.NEF
  • Antandroy woman collecting firewood. The braided and knotted hairstyle is typical of these people. Their traditional houses are made from the Endemic Didiereacaea plants. These 'people of thorns' live in the 'spiny' forests of Southern Madagascar and are mainly cattle herders - their ancestors coming from mainland Africa.<br />
THREATENED HABITAT<br />
MADAGASCAR
    MA5365 Antandroy woman.NEF
  • Antandroy man wearing hat made from goat skin. These traditional hats are now rare to see. These 'people of thorns' live in the 'spiny' forests of Southern MADAGASCAR. These people are mainly cattle herders, their ancestors coming from mainland Africa.<br />
THREATENED HABITAT<br />
MADAGASCAR
    MA5357 Antandroy man.NEF
  • Antandroy woman. The braided and knotted hairstyle is typical of these people. Their traditional houses are made from the Endemic Didiereacaea plants. These 'people of thorns' live in the 'spiny' forests of Southern Madagascar and are mainly cattle herders - their ancestors coming from mainland Africa.<br />
THREATENED HABITAT<br />
MADAGASCAR
    MA5370 Antandroy woman.NEF
  • Antandroy herdsman wearing hat made from goat skin. These traditional hats are now rare to see. His shoes are hand-made from Zebu skin. The gourd is for storing water or milk and the top is closed off with a corn cob. These 'people of thorns' live in the 'spiny' forests of Southern MADAGASCAR. They are mainly Zebu (cattle) herders, their ancestors coming from mainland Africa.<br />
THREATENED HABITAT<br />
MADAGASCAR
    MA5448 Antandroy herdsman.NEF
  • Making metal tools in Antandroy village. Houses are made from the Endemic Didiereacaea plants. Southern MADAGASCAR
    MA4875_Antandroy_village.jpg
  • Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)<br />
MADAGASCAR<br />
One of the most bizarre mammals/ primates / lemurs in the world. Their peculiar features include huge ears, bushy tail, long shaggy coast, rodent-like teeth and a skeletal 'probe-like' middle finger. Males and females are simular looking and have a body length of 440-530mm and weight of 2.3kg. They are nocturnal lemurs and largely solitary. During the day they hide in a 'nest' which they make from twigs and dead leaves. They are continually making new nest sites. They feed on ramy nuts (Canarium madagascariensis) nectar from Traveller's palm (Ravenala madagascariensis), some fungi and insect grubs. They have also been known to raid coconut, lichee and mango plantations. They use their rodent-like teeth to gnaw into hard nut shells, then insert the skeletal finger to extract the pulp. A large portion of their night is spent foraging and they are able to travel considerable distances to do that. <br />
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: Low and mid altitude rain forests, dry deciduous forests and some cultivated areas like lichee and coconut plantations. They are found widely in native forests along the entire east coast rain forest region, northern humid forests and west coast from Bemaraha north.<br />
THREATENED SPECIES: The population densities are not known but as in the case of most lemurs probably declining through habitat loss as their home-ranges are large. In some areas it is 'fady' (taboo) to hunt them while in others they are thought to bring bad luck and are killed by villages.  The meat is also sometimes eaten.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA8917_Aye-aye.jpg
  • White-breasted mesite (Mesitornis variegata) Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve, Western deciduous forest. MADAGASCAR<br />
ENDEMIC FAMILY TO MADAGASCAR NUMBERING ONLY 3 SPECIES.<br />
These birds are considered primitive forms of the rail. Although they do fly they are almost exclusively terrestrial. Their nests are rather flimsy structures built low off the ground and accessible without flying. In this species the sexes are simular. They are strictly terrestrial forest species, secretive and active and found in groups of 2 - 4. They feed in the leaf-litter looking for seeds and small insects. At night several individuals may spend the night perched on a low horizontal branch. <br />
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: Closed, deciduous dry forest on sandy soil and underbrush of which is covered with dead leaves. It is only known from 4 locations: Kirindy forest, n of Morondava, Ankarafantsika Reserve, Ankarana and Alalamera Special Reserves.<br />
THREATENED SPECIES: Due to restricted range and degradation of original deciduous dry forest by slash-and-burn and by invasion of forest by dogs and rats - especially near villages.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA3501_White-breasted_mesite.jpg
  • White-breasted mesite (Mesitornis variegata) Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve, Western deciduous forest. MADAGASCAR<br />
ENDEMIC FAMILY TO MADAGASCAR NUMBERING ONLY 3 SPECIES.<br />
These birds are considered primitive forms of the rail. Although they do fly they are almost exclusively terrestrial. Their nests are rather flimsy structures built low off the ground and accessible without flying. In this species the sexes are simular. They are strictly terrestrial forest species, secretive and active and found in groups of 2 - 4. They feed in the leaf-litter looking for seeds and small insects. At night several individuals may spend the night perched on a low horizontal branch. <br />
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: Closed, deciduous dry forest on sandy soil and underbrush of which is covered with dead leaves. It is only known from 4 locations: Kirindy forest, n of Morondava, Ankarafantsika Reserve, Ankarana and Alalamera Special Reserves.<br />
THREATENED SPECIES: Due to restricted range and degradation of original deciduous dry forest by slash-and-burn and by invasion of forest by dogs and rats - especially near villages.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA3526_White-breasted_mesite.jpg
  • Ring-tailed lemur & baby  (Lemur catta) Beza mahafaly Special Reserve. South-western MADAGASCAR <br />
THIS GENUS CONTAINS A SINGLE SPECIES<br />
Males and females look alike. Medium sized lemurs, length of 950-1,100mm and weight: 2.3-3.5kg's. They have long alternate black and white ringed tails and adopt a horizontal body posture generally moving quadrupedally on the ground. Ring-tailed lemurs are diurnal and are the most terrestrial of all Malagasy primates. This species has been studied since the 1960's and more information has been gathered on it than any other Malagasy primate. Their diet is very varied and consists of fruit, leaves, flowers, bark, sap and occasionally invertebrates. They also occur in larger groups than any other Malagasy primate - from 3 to around 25. There is a well-defined and maintained heirachy within the troop and females are dominant with the alpha female forming the focal point for the group. Males also have their own heirachy. Scent marking is important for demarking their territory. Young are born in August and September. Only 30% reach adulthood.<br />
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: Spiny forest, dry scrub, deciduous forest and gallery forest are used throughout the majority of its range. At Andringitra Massif they are found on exposed rocks. They are found in south and south-western Madagascar from Tolagnaro in the se to just south of Morondava on the west coast. Generally found at lower elevations except in Andringitra Massif where it has been recorded above the treeline to altitudes in excess of 2,600 meters.<br />
THREATENED SPECIES: The two main habitat types preferred by Ring-tailed lemurs, dense Didieraceae/Euphorbiaceae bush and riverside gallery forest, are already restricted and known to be diminishing alarmingly as a result of fires, overgrazing and wood-harvesting for charcoal production. They are still hunted for food and trapped to be kept as pets.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA6162_Ring-tailed_lemur.jpg
  • Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) near Andringitra mountains. South-central MADAGASCAR <br />
THIS GENUS CONTAINS A SINGLE SPECIES<br />
Males and females look alike. Medium sized lemurs, length of 950-1,100mm and weight: 2.3-3.5kg's. They have long alternate black and white ringed tails and adopt a horizontal body posture generally moving quadrupedally on the ground. Ring-tailed lemurs are diurnal and are the most terrestrial of all Malagasy primates. This species has been studied since the 1960's and more information has been gathered on it than any other Malagasy primate. Their diet is very varied and consists of fruit, leaves, flowers, bark, sap and occasionally invertebrates. They also occur in larger groups than any other Malagasy primate - from 3 to around 25. There is a well-defined and maintained heirachy within the troop and females are dominant with the alpha female forming the focal point for the group. Males also have their own heirachy. Scent marking is important for demarking their territory. Young are born in August and September. Only 30% reach adulthood.<br />
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: Spiny forest, dry scrub, deciduous forest and gallery forest are used throughout the majority of its range. At Andringitra Massif they are found on exposed rocks. They are found in south and south-western Madagascar from Tolagnaro in the se to just south of Morondava on the west coast. Generally found at lower elevations except in Andringitra Massif where it has been recorded above the treeline to altitudes in excess of 2,600 meters.<br />
THREATENED SPECIES: The two main habitat types preferred by Ring-tailed lemurs, dense Didieraceae/Euphorbiaceae bush and riverside gallery forest, are already restricted and known to be diminishing alarmingly as a result of fires, overgrazing and wood-harvesting for charcoal production. They are still hunted for food and trapped to be kept as pets.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA7663_Ring-tailed_lemur.jpg
  • Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli)<br />
Ankarafantsika Strict Nature Reserve, Western deciduous forest. MADAGASCAR<br />
These are large (length 925-1,100mm and weight: 3.5-4kg), vertically clinging and leaping lemurs. Their distinctive coloration can not be confused with any other species. They are diurnal and live in family groups of three to ten. Coquerel's sifaka feed primarily on leaves, fruit, bark and flowers. They have one young in June or July. At first the infant clings to the mother's front then as it gets larger rides on her back.<br />
DISTRIBUTION: Restricted to north-west Madgascar in dry-deciduous and semi-evergreen forests.<br />
THREATENED SPECIES due to habitat distruction for agriculture and the production of charcoal but also deliberately started bush fires lit to encourage new grass shoots to grow. Hunting also occurs in some areas although around Ankarafantsika Reserve it is 'fady' or taboo to hunt this species.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA3020_Coquerel's_sifaka.jpg
  • Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli)<br />
Ankarafantsika Strict Nature Reserve, Western deciduous forest. MADAGASCAR<br />
These are large (length 925-1,100mm and weight: 3.5-4kg), vertically clinging and leaping lemurs. Their distinctive coloration can not be confused with any other species. They are diurnal and live in family groups of three to ten. Coquerel's sifaka feed primarily on leaves, fruit, bark and flowers. They have one young in June or July. At first the infant clings to the mother's front then as it gets larger rides on her back.<br />
DISTRIBUTION: Restricted to north-west Madgascar in dry-deciduous and semi-evergreen forests.<br />
THREATENED SPECIES due to habitat distruction for agriculture and the production of charcoal but also deliberately started bush fires lit to encourage new grass shoots to grow. Hunting also occurs in some areas although around Ankarafantsika Reserve it is 'fady' or taboo to hunt this species.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
    MA3018_Coquerel's_sifaka.jpg
  • Madagascar spiny tailed lizard (Oplurus cuvieri) males fighting for territory, Ankarafantsika Strict Nature Reserve, Western dry-deciduous forest. MADAGASCAR, endemic
    1163622Oplurus_cuvieri.jpg
  • Madagascar spiny tailed lizard (Oplurus cuvieri)<br />
Ankarafantsika Strict Nature Reserve, Western dry-deciduous forest. MADAGASCAR, endemic.
    1163636 Oplurus_cuvieri.jpg
  • Milne-Edward's sportive lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi) Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve, deciduous dry forest, Western MADAGASCAR, endemic
    1163639Milne-Edward's_sportive_lemur.jpg
  • Madagascar crested wood ibis (Lophotibis cristata) on nest, Ankarafantika Special Reserve. Deciduous dry forest of western MADAGASCAR, endemic
    1163637Madagascar_crested_wood_ibis.jpg
  • Sakalava woman working with Raffia from the Raffia palm (Raffia rarinifera) The fibres are combed out from the leaves once the leaves have dried.  They are either left their natural colour or dyed with various natural dyes. These are then woven into hats, baskets and mats that are very characteristic of Madagascar. There is a project in the Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve helping several local communities to sustainably yield the palm leaves and thereby make a living from the forest and earn money rather than live off the forest causing more habitat distruction.<br />
Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve, Western deciduous forest. MADAGASCAR
    MA3603 Working raffia.NEF
  • Sakalava woman working with Raffia from the Raffia palm (Raffia rarinifera) The fibres are combed out from the leaves once the leaves have dried.  They are either left their natural colour or dyed with various natural dyes. These are then woven into hats, baskets and mats that are very characteristic of Madagascar. There is a project in the Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve helping several local communities to sustainably yield the palm leaves and thereby make a living from the forest and earn money rather than live off the forest causing more habitat distruction.<br />
Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve, Western deciduous forest. MADAGASCAR
    MA3626_Working_raffia.jpg
  • Sakalava woman working with Raffia from the Raffia palm (Raffia rarinifera) The fibres are combed out from the leaves once the leaves have dried.  They are either left their natural colour or dyed with various natural dyes. These are then woven into hats, baskets and mats that are very characteristic of Madagascar. There is a project in the Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve helping several local communities to sustainably yield the palm leaves and thereby make a living from the forest and earn money rather than live off the forest causing more habitat distruction.<br />
Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve, Western deciduous forest. MADAGASCAR
    MA3620 Working raffia.NEF
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