Madagascar is a paradise for herpetologists with more than 360 reptile species and new ones frequently being described of which there are at least 60 reptile species to be found in Masoala National Park, in the north-east of Madagascar.
While some African species or groups are found in Madagascar, many are notable for their absence. There are no agamas, no wall lizards and no monitors. On land there are no front-fanged venomous snakes, so there are no vipers, cobras or mambas. Pythons are absent too. In fact the closest relatives of some Malagasy species – notably iguanids and boas – are from South America.
Reptiles are good at colonizing islands because their impermeable skins are unaffected by seawater and they can survive for long periods without food. Madagascar’s colonizers fall into three categories. There are the relatively recent arrivals that are very similar to their cousins on mainland Africa or elsewhere, for instance the Nile crocodile, helmeted freshwater turtle and house geckos. Then there are the ones descended from stock that colonized Madagascar long ago, subsequently radiating into a variety of species. This group includes the chameleons, day geckos and tortoises. And most ancient are the groups with close relatives in South America. The ancestors of these species may have reached Madagascar by land bridge via Antarctica.
The chameleons of Masoala
Madagascar is the main center of diversity for chameleons with about half the world’s species, including the world’s smallest and largest. Some 80 Malagasy species are known, all endemic, and new ones are still being discovered. Chameleons are distinctive and specialized lizards, perfectly designed for their arboreal lifestyle. Evolution has adapted their bodies for life in the trees. Their toes are fused together in two opposing groups like a pair of pliers, perfect for gripping branches. Prehensile tails provide added security and can be coiled up when not in use. The body is narrowed to facilitate movement through tangled branches and this also allows it to absorb heat efficiently by turning broadside to the sun. This shape creates an imposing profile to deter predators and rival chameleons. When alarmed, a chameleon can puff itself up to look even bigger, an ability which doubles as an effective flotation device or shock absorber.
A chameleon’s eyes are its most peculiar feature. Large, and protected by circular eyelids that cover all but the pupils, they can be swiveled independently so it can look in two directions at once. This allows the chameleon to stay absolutely still and camouflaged while watching out for potential predators and prey on all sides. When an insect or other prey is spotted, the chameleon focuses with both eyes so that it can judge distance and bring into action its most specialized feature – its tongue. This rests like a primed harpoon in the bottom of its mouth. When fired at prey, it can extend the length of the chameleon’s body in a flash, the muscular trip clamping on like a sticky suction cup and sealing the victim’s fate. All Malagasy chameleons are egg-laying in contrast to some of their African cousins.
A chameleon’s ability to change color is one of its most celebrated attributes. It is a common misconception that color-change is solely for camouflage. While they can be extraordinarily adept at blending into their background, color is also a language used to convey emotions, communicate with potential mates and defend territories. It is also a means of regulating body temperature. These chromatic transformations are achieved by pigment-containing cells beneath the skin, which open and close to expose their color. The change is controlled by a combination of hormonal and nervous activity. A distressed or angry chameleon opens cells containing the brown pigment turning it much darker. When the chameleon relaxes, typically yellow and blue cells combine resulting in calmer shades of green. Sexual excitement produces an explosion of colors and patterns. And at night many chameleons turn very pale, perhaps the result of total relaxation.
Geckos Of Masoala
Geckos are amongst the most successful of all lizards and they outnumber all other lizard groups in Madagascar with 12 genera. The ability of many species to run up vertical surfaces is one of their most renowned features. This is achieved by hair-covered pads on each toe that resemble velrcro under the microscope. Some other species are ground-dwellers and can be heard at night rustling around in the leaf litter. Geckos are typically nocturnal, a trait suggested by their large eyes and usually vertical pupils. They do not have eyelids, their eyes are each protected by a single transparent scale which the gecko periodically licks clean with its tongue.
Being active at night there is little need for color, so most species are dull browns and greys, except the day geckos which have several flamboyant and beautiful species with a variety of colors.
Unlike most lizards, geckos lay modest clutches of typically one to three eggs. These are round and pea sized with hard shells. They are either hidden in the ground or glued onto rock faces, beneath tree bark or on the underside of leaves.
The leaf-tailed geckos are amongst Madagascar’s most extraordinary animals, demonstrating an unparalleled mastery of camouflage. During the day, the gecko rests motionless, head downward, stretching out its legs and spatula-like tail and flattening itself against the bark. A frill of skin forms a continuous skirt which blends its outline imperceptibly into the tree. They even possess a limited ability to change color should they find themselves on lighter or darker bark.
Some of the reptiles which can be seen at Masoala (incomplete):
– Amphiglossus melanopleura
– Amphiglossus astrolabi
– Amphiglossus ornaticeps
– Mabuya gravenhortsti
– Sanzinia madagascariensis: tree boa
– Acrantophis madagascariensis: Madagascar boa
– Calumma qastrotaenia
– Calumma nasuta
– Calumma radamanus: Nosed Chameleon
– Calumma marojezense: Side-Striped Chameleon
– Furcifer pardalis: Panther Chameleon
– Brookesia superciliaris: brown leaf chameleon
– Brookesia therezieni: perinet leaf chameleon
– Brookesia peyrierasi: Peyrieras’ Brookesia
– Ebenavia inunguis: Diurnal gecko
– Hemidactylus sp
– Homopholis antongilensis
– Zonosaurus madagascariensis: Madagascar gridled lizard
– Zonosaurus brygooi: Brygoo’s girdled lizard
– Blaesodactylus antongilensis: Antongil velvet gecko
– Uroplatus lineatus: Lined flat-tail gecko
– Uroplatus fimbriatus: Giant leaf-tailed gecko
– Uroplatus sikorae: Nocturnal leaf-tailed gecko
– Phelsuma pusilla: Small lined day gecko
– Phelsuma madagascariensis: Madagascar day gecko
– Phelsuma lineata: Striped day gecko
– Phelsuma guttata: Speckled day gecko
– Paroedura homalorihinus: Nocturnal gecko
– Paroedura gracilis: Graceful Madagascar ground gecko
– Geckolepsis maculata: Spotted fish-scale gecko
– Madagascarophis colubrinus: Common Madagascar cat snake
– Lycodryas gaimardi: Northeastern tree snake
– Leiheterodon madagascariensis: Giant Madagascan hognose snake
– Thamnosophis lateralis: Lateral water snake
– Sanzinia madagascariensis: Madagascar tree boa
– Stenophis arctifaciatus
– Steophis betsileanus
– Langaha madagascariensis
– Ithicyphus perineti
– Pseudoxyrhopus tritaeniatus
– Pseudoxyrhopus heterurus
– Dromicodryas bemieri
– Ramphotyphlops braminus
Masoala Reptile Expedition
For those who wish we can set up an expedition together with our local team of experts to look for reptiles (geckos, snakes, chameleons, ..) and other animals such as frogs, birds and mammals at Masoala National Park.
As there are no hiking trails or accommodation available, this is done through camping. For these expeditions a special permit is needed from the park authorities. Your group will be assisted by a team of national park guides, porters and a cooking team.
It takes two days to go to Maroantsetra overland or it is possible to charter a plane. We will typically spend one – two days at Maroantsetra making sure all the paperwork is in order and all the gear is loaded up and everyone is briefed and prepped.
Please, send us an email with your enquiry, group size, project and also the desired duration you would like to stay at the forest and we will come back to you with a proposition and quote as soon as possible. Serious requests only, please.
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