MADAGASCAR
Succulent Woodland

The western half of Madagascar is dry, and as you travel further south, it gets more arid, and the habitats change. In the north is the Deciduous Forest, in the south is the bizarre looking 'Spiny Forest' and in between are the Succulent shrublands and woodlands. This habitat varies in height but is dominated by trees and shrubs that often have swollen trunks, including famous groups such as the Baobabs, and also lesser known ones such as Pachypodium. Many of the trees also have deciduous leaves that drop in the dry seasons.

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As in many other parts of the world, the arid habitats host a high diversity of lizards, such as the 'Three-eyed Lizard' (below).

The family Opluridae is comprised of two genera of the 'Madagascan Iguanas'. Below is Oplurus quadrimaculatus, 'Dumeril's Madagascar Swift', which is usually found on rocks in the drier habitats of southern and central Madagascar. As with many reptiles in Madagascar, they are sometimes quite tame.

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The family Gerrhosauridae includes the 'Plated Lizards'. These are Skink-like lizards that are usually chunkier and distinguished by a very 'flattened' look. The family is found only in Africa and Madagascar. In the latter country they are quite common, and species in the wetter forests are easily noticed when they rustle loudly in amongst leaf litter on the forest floor, and often stop still to allow easy viewing. Below is one of the species found endemic to the dry forests of southern and western Madagascar: Tracheloptychus madagascariensis, 'Madagascar Keeled Plated Lizard'. It has distinctive three stripes running along back. 

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The family Chameleon family includes Furcifer oustaleti, 'Malagasy Giant Chameleon', or 'Oustalets's Chameleon'. This is probably the most widespread and commonly seen of Madagascar's endemic chameleons, especially in more open habitats and including human habitats, so it is one of the species more likely to be seen in the arid south.

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The distinctive patterns on the shell of the 'Radiated Tortoise' Astrochelys radiata, give this species it's common name and specific epithet. It is found only in the dry habitats of southern Madagascar. It is rare in the wild, but they are commonly introduced into lodges and parks around Madagascar.

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The 'Ring-tailed Lemur' Lemur catta is one of the few lemurs that can be found in the dry spiny forest and gallery forests along rivers in the arid areas of south-western Madagascar.

Places to experience the Madagascar desert shrublands

The arid habitats are in the south of Madagascar, and the few visitors who explore these drier regions sometimes come in via the town of Tulear or Toliara. You can then drive inland to Isalo National Park

An edited version of one of my introductory lectures that I give on expedition ships about the people of Madagascar