FLORA AND FAUNA OF MADAGASCAR: MOST REPRESENTATIVE SPECIES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The flora and fauna of Madagascar is unique and peculiar. The flora is represented by species such as native rosella, kisatrasatra, and euphorbia pachypodioides. As for the fauna, the lemur, the fossa, the gecko, the Angonoka turtle and the chameleons stand out.

Madagascar is the largest island in Africa and is located in the Indian Ocean. It belonged to the African continent, but its separation allowed unique species to survive in the world.

The 5 most outstanding flowers of Madagascar

Madagascar contains a variety of flowers unique in the world, thanks to its jungles, plains, mangroves and savannas.

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Also known as Australian rosela, it belongs to the Malvaceae family. Its flowers are pink or white with a deep purple center and measure two inches.

2- Kisatrasatra

It is a medium-sized orchid with irregular green petals with pink spots.

Its peak flowering season is in autumn and summer. They are also known for their delicate fragrance.

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This flower native to Madagascar belongs to the phanerogam family. The color of its petals is intense blue.

It breeds in regions that are at a height of 1000 or 2000 meters above sea level. They abound in the provinces of Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa and Toliara.

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It is part of the phanerogams and is found in the province of Antsiranana. Its habitat is located on rocky slopes. Its pink flowers take the form of cytates.

5- Imerinaea

This orchid is endemic to Madagascar. Its size is small and its inflorescence occurs in spring and autumn in humid forests.

The 5 most relevant animals of Madagascar

The fauna of Madagascar is so unique and varied that it has been represented in multiple animations for children, considering its particular species as almost from another world.

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Lemurs, a family of primitive primates, get their name from Roman mythology (ghosts) alluding to their nightlife and their striking physical characteristics.

Their weight ranges from 30 grams (mouse lemur) to 9 kilos (ring-tailed lemur). Most of them feed on fruits, leaves, and insects.

2- Pit

It has an appearance similar to that of felines but its family belongs to the eupléridos. It is the main predator of Madagascar.

They measure 80 centimeters and weigh 8 kilograms. They run at high speeds and easily climb trees thanks to their retractable claws.

3- Gecko

Endemic to Madagascar, it was first referred to in 1830 on John Gray's expeditions. His family are the gekkonidae.

They like to live in areas with a warm climate. Its color is neon green, with red details on its spine.

4- Chameleons

Madagascar is known as the paradise or kingdom of the chameleons.

The panther chameleon, one of the best known, has eleven subspecies of dazzling beauty and with colors as varied as white and orange, intense green and yellow, gray and turquoise, and red.

The longest chameleon, the oustalet, is also found in Madagascar. They reach 70 centimeters.

5- Angonoka tortoise

It is found in the northeast of Madagascar in the dry forests. Their carapace is brown and quite bulky.

It is one of the rarest species of turtles and is in a critical state of danger of extinction with less than 300 specimens.

References

1. Ganzhorn, J. (2001). The biodiversity of Madagascar. Retrieved on October 31, 2017 from: onlinelibrary.wiley.com
2. Endemic animals of Madagascar. Retrieved on October 31, 2017 from: worldatlas.com
3. Madagascar wildlife. Retrieved on October 31, 2017 from: bbc.co.uk
4. The Madagascar rainforest. Retrieved on October 31, 2017 from: madagascarrf.weebly.com
5. Native plants of Madagascar. Retrieved on October 31, 2017 from: worldatlas.com