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Madagascar is home to many different beautiful animal and plant species. For this article, we’re focusing on 10 really cool reptiles that can be found in Madagascar, and in most cases, only in Madagascar! Keep reading to see some beautiful reptiles, and read some interesting facts about them!
Top 10 List – Madagascar Reptiles
1. Malagasy Leaf Nosed Snake
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Scientific Name: Langaha madagascariensis
Conservation Status: Least Concern
As with all but 1 other reptile on this list, the Malagasy leaf-nosed snake is endemic to Madagascar, meaning that’s the only place it is naturally found in the wild. As their name would imply, these unique snakes have noses that resemble leaves! This species is sexually dimorphic, meaning that the males and females have different appearances. Males are brown and yellow in color with a long tapering snout, while the females are a mottled grey color with a flattened, leaf-shaped nose. It is thought that the snake’s shape and coloration help them camouflage in the trees and branches. While they are venomous and envenomation can cause pretty severe pain in humans, it is not deadly, so if bitten, the person will most likely survive and recover.
2. Rhinoceros Chameleon
Scientific Name: Furcifer rhinoceratus
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Second on our list of Madagascar reptiles is the cool-looking rhinoceros chameleon. Based on the photo I’m sure you can guess how they got their common name rhinoceros chameleon – they have a prominent nose that is shaped like a horn. The nose is more prominent and larger on the male chameleons, as well as males being almost twice the size of the female chameleons. As with most chameleons, they can be found spending most if not all of their time in the trees. In general, they are grey or brown, with an often bluish nose, pale lips, and a white/pale line running down each side on the chameleon. However, when females are carrying eggs they will turn purple with black bands and an orange or red tail.
3. Nano Chameleon
Scientific Name: Brookesia nana
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
This species of chameleon was discovered recently by herpetologist Frank Glaw and other German researchers. It is thought to be the smallest reptile in the world, with males only being 22mm total length including tail (0.87 inches) and females being 29mm (1.1 inches). As you probably guessed, it is called the nano chameleon due to how small in size it is! Unlike most chameleons, they are not arboreal and actually spend their time on the forest floor. They are a blotchy brown color, and unlike other chameleons do not have the ability to change their color.
4. Fish Scale Gecko
Scientific Name: Geckolepis megalepis
Conservation Status: Thought to be near threatened.
The fish scale gecko was the first addition to the Geckolepis genus since 1942, being a relatively newly discovered species. Their scientific name megalepis is made up of two Greek stems. Megas, meaning very large, and lepis, meaning scale. This refers to the fact that fish scale geckos have the largest body scales of any currently known reptile. If grabbed by a predator the gecko’s scales will tear off easily and can be regrown scar-free in a matter of weeks.
5. Peacock Day Gecko
Scientific Name: Phelsuma quadriocellata
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Peacock day geckos are part of the day gecko group and are made up of 3 different subspecies. The spots on their sides and their coloration is similar to that of a peacock, hence their common name – peacock day gecko. Their base color is a gorgeous bright green, with small red markings along their head and back, a pale belly/underside, and sometimes a bright blue tail. They also have large black spots on either side of their body, with some localities having two spots on each side instead of one. Sometimes they are kept in captivity as pets and can live up to 15 years in captivity if well cared for.
6. Mermaid Skink
Scientific Name: Voeltzkowia mobydick
Conservation Status: Not Assessed
Mermaid skinks are an extremely unusual reptile. They only have front legs, no hind legs. On top of that, their front limbs are shaped like little flippers instead of the clawed feet you’d usually expect to see on a skink. Since they have no hind legs, only “arms”, they are referred to as mermaid skinks, as mermaids also only have a tail – no legs! Their scientific name mobydick was given to them in honor of the white sperm whale in the 1851 novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville. Mermaid skinks only have front flippers just like whales, and this species of skinks lack pigment just like Moby Dick.
7. Radiated Tortoise
Scientific Name: Astrochelys radiata
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
The radiated tortoise is a long-lived species, with reports of lifespans at least 188 years, it could possibly even be longer than that! However, these beautiful tortoises are threatened by extinction due to being poached for food, habitat loss, and being over gathered for the pet trade. As with most tortoises, these guys are herbivores, munching only on plants throughout the day. Their legs, feet, and head are yellow except for a black spot on top of their heads. The shell is marked with yellow lines that radiate from the center of each dark-colored plate on the shell. This is where the name radiated tortoise comes from.
8. Orange Tree Snake
Scientific Name: Phisalixella variabilis
Conservation Status: Endangered
These slender snakes grow up to 150 cm (59 inches) in length. As their name suggests they spend most of their day in the trees, as they are an arboreal snake. They feed on other tree-dwelling reptiles during the night, as they are a nocturnal species. In color, they can range from browns to beautiful oranges.
9. Rainbow Agama
Scientific Name: Agama agama
Conservation Status: Not Assessed
Unlike the other reptiles on this list, the rainbow agama can be found throughout various African countries, not just Madagascar. They primarily feed on insects, however, they have been known to eat other small reptiles, mammals, and vegetation around them. Male agamas are territorial and will fight other males in order to keep claim on their territory. They live in social groups made up of the lead male, around 6 females, and subordinate males. The only way for lower males to gain their own group is if they defeat the existing male, or find their own territory to inhabit away from other lead males.
In general, rainbow agamas have a whitish underside and various brown colorations on the body. Subordinate males, females, and adolescent agamas have an olive-green head, while the lead male will have a blue body, as well as a red-orange tail and head. This is also why they are sometimes referred to as the red headed rock agama.
10. Cork Bark Gecko
Scientific Name: Uroplatus pietschmanni
Conservation Status: Endangered
Last but not least on our list of Madagascar reptiles we have the cork bark gecko – a master at camouflage! Their coloring made up of various browns and greys, as well as spiny scales of various sizes, help this gecko resemble the bark and tree trunks of their habitat. They also have a tail that is leaf-shaped, which also adds to their camouflaging abilities. They come out at night to live their lives as they are nocturnal, and unsurprisingly are tree dwellers, spending basically all of their time up in the trees. Their scientific name pietschmanni is in honor of German gecko breeder Jürgen Pietschmann.
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