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Ankarana National Park

Revision as of 18:44, 14 December 2011 by MissMada (talk | contribs)

Revision as of 18:44, 14 December 2011 by MissMada (talk | contribs)

The Ankarana National Park is located in the Diana region in the northern part of Madagascar. The park lies 108 kilometres south of Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) and about 20 kilometres north of Ambilobe. The four rural disctricts of Marivorahona, Anivorano, Ambondrona and Antsaravibe surround the park. From Antsiranana it takes between two and three hours by taxi-brousse to reach the main entrance on the east-side at Mahamasina on the RN6. Most of the people living in the region are Antakarana.

Ankarana National Park has a total area of 18,225ha and an altitude of 206m. The predominant climate is dry tropical with an annual rainfall below 2,000mm. Most of the rain falls in January. The dry season lasts from April to November. March is the hottest month with a maximum temperature of 36.2°C and June is the coldest with a minimum temperature of 13.5°C.

The topography of Ankarana is characterised by limestone emerging from a basaltic plain 50m above sea level, forming the Tsingy (sharp limestone karst pinnacles). Numerous underground caves and canyons traverse the massif. Four major rivers flow through the reserve: Besaboba eastward, Ankarana from the north, Antenan'Ankarana and Mananjeba from the south. The first three are underground rivers whose specific courses currently remain unknown.


Contents

Fauna

For visitors of the reserve there is much to discover in the forest, rivers and caves. In 2010 a biological inventory identified:

  • 50 shellfish species and a large number of Tsingy snails
  • 14 bat species, half the species of bats in Madagascar
  • 60 species of reptiles and amphibians
  • 11 species of lemurs
  • 96 bird species

Invertebrates

Ankarana is home to at least 50 shellfish species, including 10 water species. Among the most interesting species is the great land snail Tropidophora. Several species of Collembola (springtail) and amphipods are endemic to the caves and streams of Ankarana.

Vertebrates

Fishes

The species Glossogobius ankaranensis is endemic to Ankarana. Glossogobius callidus (River goby) and Pachypanchax sp are also present in the streams of Ankarana.

Reptiles / Amphibians

Ankarana has a very high diversity of reptiles and amphibians, at least 60 species have been inventoried. Following species are endemic to Ankarana:

  • Frogs
    • Anodonthyla sp nov
    • Mantidactylus sp nov
  • Skink
    • Amphiglossus sp nov
  • Snakes
    • Alluaudina moquardi
    • Liophidium therezieni
    • Liophidium sp nov
    • Heteroliodon sp nov
    • Stenophis sp nov 1
    • Stenophis sp nov 2
  • Lizard
    • Lygodactylus expectatus

Birds

There are at least 96 bird species in Ankarana, many of which are of great importance for conservation. They are:

Mammals

Ankarana is home to many species of mammals, including 14 species of bats, meaning that half of the bats of Madagascar live in the underground caves of Ankarana. Two amongst them are the smallest and biggest bats of the world: the Megachiroptere (Megabat) and the Microchiroptere (Microbat).

Of the 11 lemur species present at Ankarana, the most commonly observed are:

The famous Propithecus diadema perrieri, known as Black sifaka / Diademed sifaka, was last seen by park rangers in 1995 and 1996. Meanwhile, the presence of Microcebus myoxinus (Peters's mouse lemur) still needs to be to reconfirmed.

Endemic carnivores living in Ankarana are:

The best fauna most visible to tourists

Scientific name English name Description Where to find When to find
Eulemur coronatus Crowned lemur Crowned head lemur, male has a dark brown fur. Prowls in the forest of the canyon near the camp and along the track to the Green Lake (Lac Vert). Morning before noon and in the afternoon between 3pm and 5pm.
Eulemur fulvus sanfordi Brown lemur More luxuriant hair on the head. Males have bushy collar of beard. On the Green Lake track and around the camp Andrafiabe. Morning before noon and in the afternoon between 3pm and 5pm.
Lepilemur septentrionalis Northern sportive lemur Small lemur with big eyes. Usually in a tree along the trail to the Green Lake and to the bats cave. All day whilst sleeping.
Galidia elegans Ring-tailed mongoose Mongoose with deep reddish-brown fur and a long, bushy black and red striped tail. Around the camp. At any time of the day.
Uroplatus ebenaui Spear-tailed gecko Usually camouflaged the colour of tree trunk, sitting 1,50m from the ground. On the slopes of the circuits but difficult to find because of its very effective camouflage. During the morning.
Furcifer pardalis Panther chameleon Dark green chameleon with a red stripe, white on the stomach. On the slopes of the circuits in the canyons, abundant in the rainy season. At any time of the day.
Crocodylus niloticus Nile crocodile Black crocodile with short muzzle. Entire body lies in water, except the eyes and nose. In the crocodile cave. During the dry season at any time of the day.
Lophotibus cristata Madagascar Crested Ibis Bird with a bent stature, red and white feathers and short tail. Along the trail to the Green Lake and in the canyon forest. During the morning.
Mesitornis variegata White-breasted mesite A bird slightly larger than the green pigeons. Light brown mottled with white chest, pointed beak, often in groups of eight to ten. Along the trail to the Green Lake and in the canyon forest. During the morning and late afternoon.
Rousettus madagascarensis Bats of larger size compared to other species, more elongated snout, gray/dark brown. In several caves in Ankarana, several groups in the bats cave. During the day.
Glossogobius ankaranensis Blind fish, white and transparent. In the underground rivers in the caves. During the day.
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Last edited on 31 January 2021, at 07:54