Birds

1. White-faced whistling-duck (Dendrocygna viduata)

Two birds fly at dusk over Ankarafantsika National Park at dusk on one occasion. Numerous in Parc Tsarasaotra.

2. Red-billed duck (Anas erythrorhyncha)

Good numbers in Parc Tsarasaotra.

3. Helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris)

Introduced in Madagascar. A single bird flies crossing the road in a secondary forest area close to Centre ValBio in Ranomafana National Park, of unknown origin.

4. Madagascar partridge (Margaroperdix madagarensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. Two birds flushed from some hilly grasslands in the surroundings of Ranomafana Arboretum.

5. Feral pigeon (Columba livia domestica)

Introduced to Madagascar. Modest numbers in Ranomafana village.

6. Malagasy turtle-dove (Nesoenas picturatus)

Endemic to Madagascar and neighboring islands. Good numbers in Ranomafana National Park.

7. Namaqua dove (Oena capensis)

Seen in pairs on the road in the dry area between Ankarafantsika National Park and Mahajanga.

8. Madagascar green-pigeon (Treron australis)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros. Two birds seen in fruiting trees in Ankarafantsika National Park, by the road at the north side of Lake Ravelobe right in the junction towards Circuit Retendrika.

9. Madagascar blue-pigeon (Alectroenas madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. Seen on different occasions from forest clearings, foraging in the canopy in Ranomafana National Park.

10. White-breasted mesite (Mesitornis variegatus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Several birds spotted after some time in Circuit Coquereli in Ankarafantsika National Park.

11. Crested coua (Coua cristata)

Endemic to Madagascar. Well spread around Ankarafantsika National Park.

12. Blue coua (Coua caerulea)

Endemic to Madagascar. Usually heard and sometimes seen across Ranomafana National Park.

13. Red-capped coua (Coua ruficeps)

Endemic to Madagascar. One bird seen in Circuit Coquereli, Ankarafantsika National Park.

14. Red-fronted coua (Coua reynaudii)

Endemic to Madagascar. Few birds heard and one seen in Ranomafana National Park.

15. Coquerel’s coua (Coua coquereli)

Endemic to Madagascar. Several birds heard in Circuit Coquereli, Ankarafantsika National Park.

16. Malagasy coucal (Centropus toulou)

Endemic to Madagascar and neighboring islands. Heard in different locations. Good locations to spot it were some honahona (swamps) in Ranomafana National Park and especially the shoreline vegetation of Lake Ravelobe.

17. Madagascar cuckoo (Cuculus rochii)

Endemic breeder to Madagascar, migratory to Africa. Its song was constantly heard across the country, mostly in Ranomafana National Park. Also abundant in Ankarafantsika National Park.

18. Alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba)

Two birds seen in urban Fianarantsoa.

19. Malagasy swift (Apus balstoni)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros. Good numbers in Ranomafana National Park, over Namorona river and often seen over Centre ValBio.

20. Malagasy palm swift (Cypsiurus parvus)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros. Quite abundant in Ranomafana area, especially in secondary forest areas and around croplands.

21. Madagascar forest rail (Mentocrex kioloides)

Endemic to Madagascar. Heard on several occasions in Ranomafana National Park, especially around Vatoharanana camp.

22. Madagascar flufftail (Sarothrura insularis)

Endemic to Madagascar. Several times heard in Sahamalaotra track, including one bird skulking fast through dwarf bamboo close to our feet, then stopping at a rock in the middle of the trail and flying away.

23. White-throated rail (Dryolimnas cuvieri)

Endemic to Madagascar and neighboring islands. One bird heard in Parc Tsarasaotra.

24. Eurasian moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

Modest numbers in Ranomafana rice paddies, Lake Ravelobe and Parc Tsarasaotra.

25. Madagascar jacana (Actophilornis albinucha)

Endemic to Madagascar. An adult with fledglings seen in Lake Ravelobe.

26. Lesser crested tern (Thalasseus bengalensis)

A vagrant to inland Madagascar. A bird seen in Parc Tsarasaotra seems to be the first-ever record for Antananarivo region.

27. African openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus)

One bird landing on a rice paddy seen on the road to Ankarafantsika National Park.

28. African darter (Anhinga rufa)

At least one bird seen in Lake Ravelobe.

29. Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta)

Two birds seen in rice paddies: one on the road from Tana to Ranomafana National Park and one from there to Ambalavao.

30. Black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Numerous in Parc Tsarasaotra, with adults and juveniles seen.

31. Black heron (Egretta ardesiaca)

Good numbers in Parc Tsarasaotra. Two birds flew over the forest at the entrance area of Sahamalaotra track in Ranomafana National Park.

32. Dimorphic egret (Egretta garzetta dimorpha)

Numerous in many wetlands across the island, including Parc Tsarasaotra. The white morph is more abundant than the dark morph.

33. Striated heron (Butorides striata)

Few birds seen in rice paddies around Tana, Lake Ravelobe and Parc Tsarasaotra.

34. Squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides)

Quite numerous in rice paddies around Tana and Parc Tsarasaotra. The colony of cattle egrets in Lake Ravelobe held good numbers of the species.

35. Malagasy pond-heron (Ardeola idae)

A nuptial plumage bird flying at dusk in Lake Ravelobe. Several birds — mostly juveniles — seen in Parc Tsarasaotra, including few nuptial plumage birds.

36. Western cattle egret (Ardea ibis)

Abundant and widespread across the island. The colony of Lake Ravelobe was numerous, with some hundreds of birds.

37. Great egret (Ardea alba)

Well spread and seen in rice paddies across Madagascar. Close views in Parc Tsarasaotra.

38. Purple heron (Ardea purpurea)

Few birds seen in rice paddies around Tana and Lake Ravelobe.

39. Madagascar ibis (Lophotibis cristata)

Endemic to Madagascar. A bird was seen in Talatakely area in Ranomafana National Park.

40. Frances’s sparrowhawk (Tachyspiza francesiae)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros. Several birds seen in the forest in Ankarafantsika National Park.

41. Madagascar sparrowhawk (Accipiter madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. A bird perched after hunting in Circuit Coquereli, Ankarafantsika National Park.

42. Henst’s goshawk (Astur henstii)

Endemic to Madagascar. A soaring bird calling as we come back from Vatoharanana camp in Ranomafana National Park.

43. Yellow-billed kite (Milvus migrans aegyptius)

Numerous in peri-urban areas. Good numbers in Anja Community Reserve.

44. Madagascar fish-eagle (Icthyophaga vociferoides)

Endemic to Madagascar and critically endangered. Cracking views of a bird in Lake Ravelobe and subsequent views of soaring birds over Ankarafantsika National Park campsite.

45. Madagascar buzzard (Buteo brachypterus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Relatively common in forested areas throughout the country.

46. Madagascar scops-owl (Otus rutilus)

Endemic to Madagascar. A calling bird heard from Vatoharanana camp, belonging to the rainforest form rutilus.

47. Cuckoo-roller (Leptosomus discolor)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros, belonging to a monotypic family. Quite numerous, its call could be heard in forested areas across the country.

48. Madagascar hoopoe (Upupa marginata)

Endemic to Madagascar. Heard in Anja Community Reserve. Several birds seen in Ankarafantsika National Park between the headquarters and Lake Ravelobe shores.

49. Malagasy kingfisher (Corythornis vintsioides)

Endemic to Madagascar and Mayotte. Some seen in Ranomafana rice paddies, Lake Ravelobe and Parc Tsarasaotra.

50. Madagascar pygmy kingfisher (Corythornis madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. Two roosting birds seen on a night walk south of Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters.

51. Madagascar bee-eater (Merops superciliosus)

Endemic breeder to Madagascar, migratory to Africa. Good numbers in the north shore of Lake Ravelobe. Some birds seen on the road around Betsiboka river crossing, between Tana and Mahajanga.

52. Broad-billed roller (Eurystomus glaucurus)

Few birds seen in Ranomafana village. Breeding pairs in Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters were protective of their territories.

53. Pitta-like ground-roller (Atelornis pittoides)

Endemic to Madagascar, belonging to an endemic family. Several encounters with this stunner on different dates and sites of Ranomafana National Park.

54. Rufous-headed ground-roller (Atelornis crossleyi)

Endemic to Madagascar, belonging to an endemic family. Heard in Sahamalaotra track in north Ranomafana National Park.

55. Malagasy kestrel (Falco newtoni)

Endemic to Madagascar and Aldabra. Widespread across the country, seen in a variety of places. A family bred in Centre ValBio.

00. Sooty/Eleonora falcon (Falco concolor/eleonorae)

A dark-plumage falcon seen in Ankarafantsika NP headquarters on Dec 8th for about a minute in poor light, resulting in unsuccessful identification.

56. Greater vasa parrot (Coracopsis vasa)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros. Seen on many days in Ranomafana National Park. Particularly good views of this canopy-dweller on the trees of Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters.

57. Lesser vasa parrot (Coracopsis nigra)

Endemic to Madagascar. Quite widespread, with flocks seen on different days in Ranomafana and Ankarafantsika.

58. Gray-headed lovebird (Agapornis canus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Two pairs seen in Anja Community Reserve.

59. Velvet asity (Philepitta castanea)

Endemic to Madagascar, belonging to an endemic family. Several encounters with males in the forest of Ranomafana National Park.

60. Schlegel’s asity (Philepitta schlegeli)

Endemic to Madagascar, belonging to an endemic family. Sadly, after hours of trying, only heard in Circuit Retendrika in Ankarafantsika National Park.

61. Common sunbird-asity (Neodrepanis coruscans)

Endemic to Madagascar, belonging to an endemic family. Heard and briefly seen in Sahamalaotra track in Ranomafana National Park.

62. Madagascar cuckooshrike (Ceblepyris cinereus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Small numbers seen on different days in Ranomafana National Park.

63. Common newtonia (Newtonia brunneicauda)

Endemic to Madagascar. Good numbers seen in most forested areas. Some pairs seemed very territorial, as birds would be seen in the very same bushes days apart.

64. Dark newtonia (Newtonia amphichroa)

Endemic to Madagascar. Heard in Sahamalaotra track in Ranomafana National Park.

65. Tylas vanga (Tylas eduardi)

Endemic to Madagascar. A handful of birds seen in total in Ranomafana National Park.

66. Red-tailed vanga (Calicalicus madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. Several flocks foraging in the mid-story, including a pair trying to catch our attention so that a chick — a fluffy ball on a twig — could remain concealed.

67. Chabert vanga (Leptopterus chabert)

Endemic to Madagascar. A canopy-dweller often seen in secondary, open and even degraded forest, including Ranomafana village.

68. Crossley’s vanga (Mystacornis crossleyi)

Endemic to Madagascar. I saw this skulky understory-dweller twice: once a male with Théo around Sahamalaotra and then a female in Talatakely.

69. Madagascar blue vanga (Cyanolanius madagascarinus)

Endemic to Madagascar. A handful of birds seen in Ranomafana National Park, in the canopies at Sahamalaotra and Vatoharanana.

70. Hook-billed vanga (Vanga curvirostris)

Endemic to Madagascar. Only one bird seen singing in the secondary forest of Vohiparara.

71. Ward’s flycatcher (Pseudobias wardi)

Endemic to Madagascar. Modest numbers seen in Ranomafana National Park, in the canopies at Sahamalaotra and Vatoharanana.

72. Rufous vanga (Schetba rufa)

Endemic to Madagascar. Only heard on one occasion, in Ankarafantsika National Park.

73. Sickle-billed vanga (Falculea palliata)

Endemic to Madagascar. Seen daily in Ankarafantsika National Park, where its baby cry-like call was a usual sound at dusk in the camp.

74. White-headed vanga (Artamella viridis)

Endemic to Madagascar. A handful of birds seen in total in Ranomafana National Park.

75. Pollen’s vanga (Xenopirostris polleni)

Endemic to Madagascar. Few birds seen in Sahamalaotra and Vatoharanana in Ranomafana NAtional Park.

76. Van Dam’s vanga (Xenopirostris damii)

Endemic to Madagascar. Highly localized, we connected with a female in Circuit Coquereli at Ankarafantsika National Park.

77. Crested drongo (Dicrurus forficatus)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros. Quite abundant in forested areas across the country.

78. Malagasy paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone mutata)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros. Present in forested areas across the island, with all morphs and plumages seen.

79. Pied crow (Corvus albus)

Numerous in peri-urban areas. Good numbers in Anja Community Reserve.

80. Madagascar lark (Eremopterix hova)

Endemic to Madagascar. Seen in small numbers in grassy roadsides and plains from the car.

81. Common jery (Neomixis tenella)

Endemic to Madagascar. Widespread and seen in forested areas across the island.

82. Green jery (Neomixis viridis)

Endemic to Madagascar. Restricted to the eastern escarpment, where few birds were seen and heard in Sahamalaotra track.

83. Stripe-throated jery (Neomixis striatigula)

Endemic to Madagascar. Few birds heard and briefly seen around Sahamalaotra track.

84. Madagascar cisticola (Cisticola cherina)

Endemic to Madagascar. Seen in small numbers in grassy roadsides and plains from the car.

85. Malagasy brush-warbler (Nesillas typica)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros. Present in shrublands of Tana and Ranomafana, even in the understory of the rainforest.

86. White-throated oxylabes (Oxylabes madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. Restricted to the eastern escarpment, a bird was connected in a mixed-species flock in Talatakely.

87. Long-billed bernieria (Bernieria madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. Seen on few mixed-species flocks in Ranomafana NAtional Park, with particularly good views in Sahamalaotra.

88. Cryptic warbler (Cryptosylvicola randrianasoloi)

Endemic to Madagascar. Heard and briefly seen in canopies at Sahamalaotra track in Ranomafana National Park.

89. Wedge-tailed jery (Hartertula flavoviridis)

Endemic to Madagascar. A bird connected in a mixed-species flock in the understory of Vatoharanana.

90. Spectacled tetraka (Xanthomixis zosterops)

Endemic to Madagascar. Present in several mixed-species flocks in Ranomafana, where nesting birds were seen.

91. Gray-crowned tetraka (Xanthomixis cinereiceps)

Endemic to Madagascar. Restricted to the eastern escarpment, a bird was connected in a mixed-species flock in Talatakely.

92. Rand’s warbler (Randia pseudozosterops)

Endemic to Madagascar. Heard and seen in the canopy of Sahamalaotra track in Ranomafana National Park.

93. Mascarene martin (Phedina borbonica)

Endemic to Madagascar and the Mascarenes. Well spread in areas close to water. A colony breeds in the roofs of Centre ValBio’s gate.

94. Madagascar martin (Riparia cowani)

Endemic to Madagascar. Small numbers flying over Namorona river close to Vohiparara village towards RN45.

95. Malagasy bulbul (Hypsipetes madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar, Comoros and Aldabra. Quite abundant and widespread in forested areas of the island.

96. Malagasy white-eye (Zosterops maderaspatanus)

Endemic to Madagascar and neighboring islands. Widespread in gardens and forests across the country.

97. Common myna (Acridotheres tristis)

Introduced to Madagascar. Numerous and widespread in urban areas.

98. Madagascar starling (Hartlaubius auratus)

Endemic to Madagascar. A single bird on a dead tree seen one day early in the misty morning walking from Cenre ValBio down to Ranomafana village.

99.1 Madagascar magpie-robin (Copsychus albospecularis inexspectatus)

Endemic to Madagascar. A common species in gardens and forests. Most birds in Anja. and Ranomafana showed this phenotype, with some potential intergrades with ssp. albospecularis from northern rainforest (including a male in Centre ValBio).

99.2 White-winged magpie-robin (Copsychus albospecularis pica)

Endemic to Madagascar. A common species in gardens and forests. This form is present and abundant in Ankarafantsika National Park.

100. Forest rock thrush (Monticola sharpei)

Endemic to Madagascar. A sharp male of forest form sharpei seen in the mist in Sahamalaotra trail.

101. Madagascar stonechat (Saxicola torquatus sibilla)

Endemic to Madagascar. Surprisingly, only two birds seen in the fields around Ranomafana village despite numerous surveys in potential habitat.

102. Souimanga sunbird (Cinnyris sovimanga)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros. The sunbird species seen most often, in gardens and forest edges and even on lianas and canopies inside secondary forests.

103. Malagasy sunbird (Cinnyris notatus)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros. Few numbers seen in Centre ValBio’s garden and in the forest edge at Ankarafantsika National Park.

104. Nelicourvi weaver (Ploceus nelicourvi)

Endemic to Madagascar. A rainforest-dweller, seen on different occasions in Ranomafana National Park. A pair had built their nest in the terrace of the kitchen and restaurant of Centre ValBio.

105. Sakalava weaver (Ploceus sakalava)

Endemic to Madagascar. Restricted to the Sakalava region in the east side of the island. A group of birds nested in some trees in a swamp next to Lake Ravelobe.

106. Red fody (Foudia madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar and Mayotte but introduced elsewhere. Quite abundant and widespread in gardens and plantations across the country, including in urban Tana.

107. Forest fody (Foudia omissa)

Endemic to Madagascar. Modest numbers seen in Ranomafana National Park, in the canopies at Sahamalaotra and Vatoharanana.

108. Madagascar munia (Lepidopygia nana)

Endemic to Madagascar. Small flocks seen in gardens, grassy areas and rice paddies of Ranomafana and Vohiparara villages.

109. House sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Introduced to Madagascar. Only seen in one spot, Maevatanana, a lunch stop on the way between Tana and Mahajanga.

110. Madagascar wagtail (Motacilla flaviventris)

Endemic to Madagascar. Not uncommon in degraded areas. A couple of birds foraged for food in Centre ValBio’s gardens and roofs.

Mammals

1. Malagasy civet (Fossa fossana)

Endemic to Madagascar. At least one individual approached the camp at Vatoharanana at night while having dinner.

2. Ring-tailed vontsira (Galidia elegans)

Endemic to Madagascar. Two individuals ran in the understory at dusk close to Namorona river in Talatakely.

3. Gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Several individuals seen at night around Ankarafantsika National Park.

4. Golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. Highly localized to Lake Ravelobe. Several individuals seen at night foraging and feeding on insects in the area.

5. Rufous mouse lemur (Microcebus rufus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Some individuals seen at night in Vatoharanana in Ranomafana National Park, even close to our tents. One was seen from the road close to Centre ValBio.

6. Western fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius)

Endemic to Madagascar. An individual obliging at night around Ankarafantsika National Park.

0. Crossley’s/Groves’s/Sibree’s dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus crossleyi/groovesi/sibreei)

All endemic to Madagascar, but ID is inconclusive. A dwarf lemur was poorly seen at night in Vatoharanana in Ranomafana National Park, where all three species have been recorded.

7. Milne-Edward’s sportive lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi)

Endemic to Madagascar. One seen at day roost in a hole and several heard at night in and around Ankarafantsika National Park.

8. Small-toothed sportive lemur (Lepilemur microdon)

Endemic to Madagascar. Highly localized to Ranomafana National Park. One seen at day roost in a hole in Vohiparara secondary forest.

9. Golden bamboo lemur (Hapalemur aureus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Highly localized to Ranomafana National Park. Critically endangered. The purpose of this trip. Two family troops followed in Talatakely.

10. Greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Critically endangered. The purpose of this trip. Only one individual remains in Ranomafana National Park: the female Simone. I followed her within her troop of golden bamboo lemurs.

11. Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)

Endemic to Madagascar. Very abundant in Anja Community Reserve.

12. Common brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus)

Endemic to Madagascar and introduced to Comoros. A family foraged in the forest between Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters and Lake Ravelobe.

13. Mongoose lemur (Eulemur mongoz)

Endemic to Madagascar and introduced to Comoros. Critically endangered. A pair foraged in the mango trees of the road close to Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters.

14. Red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer)

Endemic to Madagascar. Quite common in Ranomafana National Park, where several individuals and groups were seen in different locations.

15. Red-vented lemur (Eulemur rufifrons)

Endemic to Madagascar. Relatively abundant in Ranomafana National Park, with troops seen in different locations.

16. Black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata)

Endemic to Madagascar. Critically endangered. A stunning sight only few times in Vatoharanana, although their haunting calls intimidated us while in the field.

17. Western woolly lemur (Avahi occidentalis)

Endemic to Madagascar. An individual slept at roost on a tree in Circuit Coquereli at Ankarafantsika National Park.

18. Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli)

Endemic to Madagascar. Critically endangered. A family lived in the vegetation in and around Ankarafantsika National Park and we often observed each other for long times.

19. Milne-Edward’s sifaka (Propithecus edwardsi)

Endemic to Madagascar. Highly localized to Ranomafana National Park. Critically endangered. Two individuals provided great looks halfway between Talatakely and Vatoharanana. A family troop is followed in Sahamalaotra.

20. Tanala tufted-tailed rat (Eliurus tanala)

Endemic to Madagascar. An individual most likely belonging to this species according to tail pattern seen at night spot lighting in Vatoharanana.

20. Eastern red forest rat (Nesomys rufus)

Endemic to Madagascar. An individual most likely belonging to this species according to altitude seen at daylight near a baited trail camera in Vohiparara.

22. Lowland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus)

Endemic to Madagascar. An individual crawling in the forest litter seen in Talatakely.

Reptiles

1. Mahajanga velvet gecko (Blaesodactylus ambonihazo)

Endemic to Madagascar. A medium sized canopy-dwelling nocturnal gecko, seen in Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters.

2. Many-scaled gecko (Geckolepis polylepis)

Endemic to Madagascar. One individual mos likely belonging to this species was seen in the vegetation at Ankarafantsika National Park.

3. Common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus)

Introduced to Madagascar. Seen in the buildings of Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters.

4. Farquhar half-toed gecko (Hemidactylus mercatorius)

Endemic to Madagascar and Comoros. Several individuals seen in gardens, fences and buildings in Ranomafana.

5. Robust dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus pictus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Localized to the central plateau. Several individuals seen in logs of Parc Tsarasaotra in Tana, some of them mating.

6. Grandidier’s dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus tolampyae)

Endemic to Madagascar. Seen in forest litter in the area between Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters and Lake Ravelobe.

7. Stumpf’s ground gecko (Paroedura stumpfii)

Endemic to Madagascar. A ground-dwelling species seen at night south of Ankarafantsika National Park

8. Madagascar giant day gecko (Phelsuma grandis)

Endemic to Madagascar. An individual seen in the restaurant of Ankarafantsika National Park, most probably introduced as it is out of its native range.

9. Koch’s giant day gecko (Phelsuma kochi)

Endemic to Madagascar. Numerous in Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters.

10.1 Striped day gecko (Phelsuma lineata lineata)

Endemic to Madagascar. Good numbers in Ranomafana village gardens and in forest edge.

10.2 Striped day gecko (Phelsuma lineata elanthana)

Endemic to Madagascar. Distinctive form seen in the gardens of Hotel Saka Manga in urban Tana.

11. Peacock day gecko (Phelsuma quadriocellata)

Endemic to Madagascar. Relatively abundant in Centre ValBio garden and in some constructions inside Ranomafana National Park.

12. Günther’s flat-tail gecko (Uroplatus guentheri)

Endemic to Madagascar. One seen during a nigh walk outside Ankarafantsika National Park.

13. Brown leaf chameleon (Brookesia superciliaris)

Endemic to Madagascar. Two individuals seen throughout my stay in Ranomafana National Park, one in Talatakely and one in Vatoharanana.

14. Perinet leaf chameleon (Brookesia therezieni)

Endemic to Madagascar. Lola found one individual in Talatakely in Ranomafana National Park

15. Cryptic chameleon (Calumma crypticum)

Endemic to Madagascar. Seen on the vegetation of the roadside around Ranomafana National Park.

16. O’Shaughnessy’s chameleon (Calumma oshaughnessyi)

Endemic to Madagascar. The most common large chameleon in Ranomafana National Park, seen at daylight and at night, both males and females.

17. Parson’s chameleon (Calumma parsonii)

Endemic to Madagascar. The largest chameleon species in the world. A man took care of a handful of them in a Ficus tree close to Ranomafana village. More individuals were seen in lodge gardens in town.

18. Ranomafana nosed chameleon (Calumma tjiasmantoi)

Endemic to Madagascar. Highly localized to Ranomafana National Park. Seen on the vegetation of the roadside and in Centre ValBio’s garden.

19. Oustalet’s giant chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti)

Endemic to Madagascar. The most common large chameleon in dry forest. Seen in Ankarafantsika National Park and Anja Community Reserve, at daylight and at night, both males and females.

20. Canopy chameleon (Furcifer willsii)

Endemic to Madagascar. An individual was seen dead on the road in Ranomafana National Park.

21. Rhinoceros chameleon (Furcifer rhinoceratus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Highly localized to Ankarafantsika National Park, where few were seen at night on the spotlight.

22. Carpet chameleon (Furcifer lateralis)

Endemic to Madagascar. An individual was seen dead on the road in Ranomafana National Park.

23. Cuvier’s Madagascar swift (Oplurus cuvieri)

Endemic to Madagascar. Very numerous in Ankarafantsika National Park, even at the headquarters.

24. Grandidier’s Madagascar swift (Oplurus grandidieri)

Endemic to Madagascar. Common in Anja Community Reserve, perhaps most in the rocky area above the tree line.

25. Dumeril’s Madagascar swift (Oplurus quadrimaculatus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Common in Anja Community Reserve, perhaps most in the vegetated rocks below the tree line.

26. Western girdled lizard (Zonosaurus laticaudatus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Very numerous in Ankarafantsika National Park, even at the headquarters.

27. Ornate girdled lizard (Zonosaurus ornatus)

Endemic to Madagascar. Few individuals seen on the roadsides close to Vohiparara around Ranomafana National Park.

28. Elegant mabuya (Trachylepis elegans)

Endemic to Madagascar. At least one individual seen in Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters.

29. Nosy Komba ground boa (Sanzinia volontany)

Endemic to Madagascar. An individual was seen at night on a tree close to Ankarafantsika National Park.

30. Ranomafana big-headed snake (Compsophis laphystius)

Endemic to Madagascar. An individual crawling on a tree branch by ta stream in Vatoharanana at Ranomafana National Park at night.

31. Bernier’s striped snake (Dromicodryas bernieri)

Endemic to Madagascar. An individual seen in Anja Community Reserve.

32. Four-striped snake (Dromicodryas quadrilineatus)

Endemic to Madagascar. A daily sight in Ankarafantsika Ranomafana National Park, where a snake approached my tent and usually sat quietly, rising its head above the ground and moving its body rhythmically side to side, its head standing still, on a funny dance.

33. Giant Madagascan hognose snake (Leioheterodon madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. A usual visitor to Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters, where a large individual foraged around midday close to the bathroom buildings.

34. Blonde hognose snake (Leioheterodon modestus)

Endemic to Madagascar. One individual was seen in Ankarafantsika National Park headquarters.

35. Slender smooth snake (Liopholidophis rhadinaea)

Endemic to Madagascar. Few individuals were seen on the way from Talatakely to Vatoharanana in Ranomafana National Park.

36. White-banded tree snake (Phisalixella arctifasciata)

Endemic to Madagascar. The first snake seen, on my first day in Centre ValBio just walking around the road, around Ranomafana National Park.

37. Forest water snake (Thamnosophis infrasignatus)

Endemic to Madagascar. One individual seen in the forest litter in Talatakely in Ranomafana National Park.

Amphibians

1. Mascarene grass frog (Ptychadena mascareniensis)

The only non-endemic native amphibian, as it is shared with Africa and the Mascarenes. Common in puddles next to rice paddies in Ranomafana.

2. Madagascar bright-eyed frog (Boophis madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. Abundant in Ranomafana National Park, where good numbers could be seen in the vegetation of the roadsides at night.

3. Madagascar jumping frog (Aglyptodactylus madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. One seen at daytime in Talatakely in the forest litter, Ranomafana National Park.

4. Madagascar bullfrog (Laliostoma labrosum)

Endemic to Madagascar. Seen on the ground during a night walk around Ankarafantsika National Park.

5. Tschenk’s Madagascar frog (Gephyromantis tschenki)

Endemic to Madagascar. Seen in the vegetation during a night walkVatoharanana in Ranomafana National Park.

6. Pandanus frog (Guibemantis pulcher)

Endemic to Madagascar. A beautiful species, Théo showed me a Pandanus tree in Vohiparara in Ranomafana National Park where several individuals lived.

7. Ivohimanita Madagascar frog (Mantidactylus majori)

Endemic to Madagascar. One seen daily in the stream next to Vatoharanana camp in Ranomafana National Park.

8. Dumeril’s Madagascar frog (Mantidactylus lugubris)

Endemic to Madagascar. Common in the stream next to Vatoharanana camp in Ranomafana National Park.

9. Fantastic mossy frog (Spinomantis phantasticus)

Endemic to Madagascar. A stunning frog concealed with the moss in a trunk at night in Vatoharanana in Ranomafana National Park.

10. Painted mantella (Mantella madagascariensis)

Endemic to Madagascar. A poisonous frog convergent with Neotropical dart-frogs, highlight of Madagascar unique biodiversity. Théo showed me a spot in Vohiparara in Ranomafana National Park where they sang and we could glimpse some — he confirmed the species ID.