Madagascar Wildlife

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 behaviour perfect for the interested layman complemented by 280 sumptuous colour 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.

Vorwort
. Wildlife is the key draw for English-speaking visitors . Written by naturalist tour-leaders who understand visitor needs . The leading guide for over 25 years . Combines a readable introduction to all major wildlife groups with detailed coverage of top wildlife-watching spots . Illustrated by 300-plus colour photographs About Bradt Travel Guides . Founded in 1974, Bradt is now the largest independent guidebook publisher in the UK with over 200 titles in print . Serial winner of the Gold award for Best Guidebook Series in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards . Bradt guides are written by authors who really know their destinations, in this case visiting regularly over a number of years . Each new Bradt guide is backed by a dedicated press and social media campaign

Autorentext

Nick Garbutt (nickgarbutt.com) is a well-known authority on Madagascar's wildlife. He first visited the island in 1991, backpacking for a month and visiting four parks. He has returned most years since and in doing so has travelled the length and breadth of the island, repeatedly visiting all the major national parks and reserves, and many remote regions. He has seen the majority of the island's lemurs and other mammals in the wild, as well as a very high proportion of the other endemic fauna - a claim few can make. A tour-leader, lecturer and award-winning photographer, Garbutt has written three books about Madagascar mammals and reptiles, as well as Bradt's 100 Animals to See Before They Die. He is also a regular contributor of articles and images to publications including National Geographic and BBC Wildlife.

Daniel Austin (danielaustin.co.uk) is a naturalist, photographer and researcher of all things Malagasy. His fascination with this extraordinary island has spanned his entire adult life and extends far beyond its flora and fauna to its geography, its history, its people and their culture. He is lead author of Bradt's award-winning Madagascar travel guidebook in addition to this wildlife guide, and regularly leads small-group tours of the country. Daniel also gives occasional lectures on Madagascar (including to the Royal Geographical Society and Oxford University), is secretary of the Anglo-Malagasy Society (which holds regular events to raise the island's profile) and curates the Madagascar Library, an archive of over 7,000 books, maps and documents on all aspects of the country.

Klappentext

Madagascar wildlife and travel guide. Introduction to the island's unique wildlife covering mammals, birds, chameleons, snakes, frogs and invertebrates, plus chapters on camouflage and nocturnal nature. Features wildlife hotspots in rainforests, dry forests and wetlands, including Masoala, Ranomafana, Ankarana, Isalo, Ifaty and the Betsiboka Delta.

Inhalt
Contents Introduction Technical terms, Classification Habitats and Wildlife Hotspots Rainforest Montagne d'Ambre, Marojejy, Masoala, Nosy Mangabe, Anjozorobe, Andasibe-Mantadia, Ranomafana Deciduous Forests/Seasonally Dry Forests Ankarana, Daraina area, Anjajavy, Sahamalaza-Îles Radama, Ankarafantsika, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Kirindy, Zombitse The Southern Region Andringitra, Isalo, Anja, Ifaty area, Tsimanampetsotse, Andohahela, Mandrare Valley: Berenty and Ifotaka Threatened Wetlands Betsiboka Delta, Lac Kinkony and the Mahavavy Delta Mammals Lemurs, Malagasy carnivores, Tenrecs, Rodents, Bats, Whales and whale-watching Birds Primitive parrots, The birds and the beaks (vangas), Rallying rarities, Rhapsody in blue Reptiles and Frogs Chameleon, Geckos, Other lizard, Snakes, Tortoises and turtles, Frogs Invertebrate In hiding, Out of hiding, Millipedes, Spiders, Other land invertebrate, Conservation issues Madagascar at Night From dusk to dawn Camouflage Safety matches Further Information Index