This new, fifth edition of Bradt's Madagascar Wildlife, first published
over 25 years ago, celebrates the unique fauna of this remarkable Indian
Ocean island. Written by naturalist tour-leaders and Madagascar experts,
and aimed at visitors and natural-history enthusiasts alike, this guide
has been thoroughly updated to reflect both the latest discoveries - on
an island where new species for science are continuously discovered -
and the latest developments at the country's top wildlife-tourism
locations. Wildlife is the key draw for English-speaking visitors to
Madagascar. Enjoying nature couldn't be more different to continental
Africa. Rather than going out on safari to see the Big Five from the
safety of a jeep, in Madagascar you approach wildlife on rainforest
strolls, without fear of encountering dangerous snakes or angry
elephants. From its endearing lemurs and comical chameleons to the
endemic birds and bizarre insects, this is the only guide to showcase
the whole range of Madagascar's captivating wildlife. It features lively
descriptions of animals and their behavior - perfect for the interested
layman - complemented by 280 sumptuous color photographs. A 'Habitats
and Hotspots' chapter details the island's various ecosystems and
presents concise information on where best to see fascinating species,
helping readers choose which parks and reserves to visit - from Masoala
and Ranomafana to Ifaty and Berenty. An incredible 90% of Madagascar's
plants and animals are unique to the world's oldest island. Accordingly,
this guide also tells the story of how Madagascar came to be so
different from the rest of the world, and why evolution took a different
tangent to create such an extraordinary and unparalleled array of
creatures. Read about Madagascar's remarkable chameleon diversity: half
the world's species occur here, including the smallest and largest. And
prepare to be astonished by an orchid with a ridiculously long nectary
tube that prompted Charles Darwin to correctly predict that there would
be a moth that had evolved an equally absurd 30-cm-long tongue to reach
it. As a practical guide to help you plan your dream wildlife trip to
this special destination, Bradt's Madagascar Wildlife is readable,
user-friendly and inspiring; as a souvenir, it's unbeatable.
