What are Some Species Endemic to Madagascar?
Madagascar is a large island, about 140% the size of California, off the southeast coast of Africa. The island is renowned for its high rate of endemic species (found nowhere else). The island contains 5% of animal and plant species on Earth, with 80% endemic to the island. Species endemic to Madagascar include the famous lemur infraorder of primates (over 40 species), the carnivorous fossa (related to mongooses), three bird families, and six boabab species (huge trees with wide stumps). There are so many species endemic to Madagascar that some ecologists have called it “the eighth continent”. The most famous species endemic to Madagascar are the lemurs, small primates. Their name is derived from the Latin lemures, which means “spirit of the night” or “ghosts”. They have long tails, large, reflective eyes, and some species have a distinctive wail, which must have contributed to their name. Lemurs are unique primates that once lived on the African mainland, but traveled to Madagascar 18
