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Madagascar
Species
The island of Madagascar separated from the African continent some 165 million years. Since then, a unique array of plants and animals have evolved, including many endemics (species found nowhere else in the world). These characteristics have led some scientists to dub Madagascar the "seventh continent”.
Ring-tailed Lemur
© WWF-Canon / Martin HARVEY
Did you say lemurs? All 50 known species of these small primates are found only on this island. These include the ring-tailed lemur, the indri, the largest living lemur; black lemurs, which feed on ripe fruit, leaves, insects and flowers; and the hairy-eared dwarf lemur that has long wavy hair around its ears.
The eastern, or windward side of the island is home to tropical rainforests, while the western and southern sides of the island are covered by tropical dry forests, thorn forests, and deserts and xeric shrublands. Dry forests support hundreds of endemic plant and animal species - for example, seven species of baobab trees as compared to only one in all of mainland Africa.
