Difference between revisions of "Ankarana National Park"
From MadaCamp
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== Invertebrates == | == Invertebrates == | ||
| − | Ankarana is home to at least 50 shellfish species, including 10 water species. Amongst the most interesting species is the great land snail Tropidophora. Several species of | + | Ankarana is home to at least 50 shellfish species, including 10 water species. Amongst 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.<br><br> |
== Vertebrates == | == Vertebrates == | ||
=== Fishes === | === Fishes === | ||
| − | The species Glossogobius ankaranensis is endemic to Ankarana. Glossogobius callidus ([[River goby]]) and Pachypanchax sp are also present in the streams of Ankarana.<br><br> | + | The species ''Glossogobius ankaranensis'' is endemic to Ankarana. ''Glossogobius callidus'' ([[River goby]]) and ''Pachypanchax sp'' are also present in the streams of Ankarana.<br><br> |
=== Reptiles / Amphibians === | === Reptiles / Amphibians === | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
* '''Frogs''' | * '''Frogs''' | ||
| − | ** Anodonthyla sp nov | + | ** ''Anodonthyla sp'' nov |
| − | ** Mantidactylus sp nov | + | ** ''Mantidactylus sp'' nov |
* '''Skink''' | * '''Skink''' | ||
| − | ** Amphiglossus sp nov | + | ** ''Amphiglossus sp'' nov |
* '''Snakes''' | * '''Snakes''' | ||
| − | ** Alluaudina moquardi | + | ** ''Alluaudina moquardi'' |
| − | ** Liophidium therezieni | + | ** ''Liophidium therezieni'' |
| − | ** Liophidium sp nov | + | ** ''Liophidium sp'' nov |
| − | ** Heteroliodon sp nov | + | ** ''Heteroliodon sp'' nov |
| − | ** Stenophis sp nov 1 | + | ** ''Stenophis sp'' nov 1 |
| − | ** Stenophis sp nov 2 | + | ** ''Stenophis sp'' nov 2 |
* '''Lizard''' | * '''Lizard''' | ||
| − | ** Lygodactylus expectatus | + | ** ''Lygodactylus expectatus'' |
* '''Gecko''' | * '''Gecko''' | ||
| − | ** Uroplatus ebenaui - [[Spear-tailed gecko]] (endemic to the far north) | + | ** ''Uroplatus ebenaui'' - [[Spear-tailed gecko]] (endemic to the far north) |
* '''Crocodile''' | * '''Crocodile''' | ||
| − | ** Crocodylus niloticus - [[Nile crocodile]]<br><br> | + | ** ''Crocodylus niloticus'' - [[Nile crocodile]]<br><br> |
=== Birds === | === Birds === | ||
| Line 50: | Line 50: | ||
There are at least 96 bird species in Ankarana, many of which are of great importance for conservation. They are: | There are at least 96 bird species in Ankarana, many of which are of great importance for conservation. They are: | ||
| − | * Mesitornis variegatus - [[White-breasted mesite]] | + | * ''Mesitornis variegatus'' - [[White-breasted mesite]] |
| − | * Tyto soumagnei - [[Madagascan red owl]] | + | * ''Tyto soumagnei'' - [[Madagascan red owl]] |
| − | * Ardea humbloti - [[Humblot's heron]] | + | * ''Ardea humbloti'' - [[Humblot's heron]] |
| − | * Ardeola idea - [[Malagasy pond heron]] | + | * ''Ardeola idea'' - [[Malagasy pond heron]] |
| − | * Lophotibis cristata - [[Madagascan crested ibis]] | + | * ''Lophotibis cristata'' - [[Madagascan crested ibis]] |
| − | * Haliaetus vociferoïdes | + | * ''Haliaetus vociferoïdes'' |
| − | * Aviceda madagascariensis - [[Madagascan cuckoo-hawk]] | + | * ''Aviceda madagascariensis'' - [[Madagascan cuckoo-hawk]] |
| − | * Accipiter | + | * ''Accipiter madagascariensi''s |
| − | * Caprimulgus enarratus - [[Collared nightjar]]<br><br> | + | * ''Caprimulgus enarratus'' - [[Collared nightjar]]<br><br> |
=== Mammals === | === Mammals === | ||
| Line 65: | Line 65: | ||
Of the 11 lemur species present in Ankarana, the most commonly observed are: | Of the 11 lemur species present in Ankarana, the most commonly observed are: | ||
| − | * Eulemur coronatus - [[Crowned lemur]] | + | * ''Eulemur coronatus'' - [[Crowned lemur]] |
| − | * Eulemur fulvus sanfordi - [[Brown lemur]], sub-species [[Sanford's lemur]] | + | * ''Eulemur fulvus sanfordi'' - [[Brown lemur]], sub-species [[Sanford's lemur]] |
| − | * Hapalemur griseus occidentalis - [[Bamboo lemur]] | + | * ''Hapalemur griseus occidentalis'' - [[Bamboo lemur]] |
| − | * Lepilemur septentrionalis - [[Northern sportive lemur]] | + | * ''Lepilemur septentrionalis'' - [[Northern sportive lemur]] |
| − | * Phaner furcifer electromontis - [[Fork-marked lemur]] | + | * ''Phaner furcifer electromontis'' - [[Fork-marked lemur]] |
| − | * Daubentonia madagascariensis - [[Aye-aye]] | + | * ''Daubentonia madagascariensis'' - [[Aye-aye]] |
| − | * Avahi occidentalis - [[Woolly lemur]] | + | * ''Avahi occidentalis'' - [[Woolly lemur]] |
| − | * Microcebus tavaratra - [[Northern rufous mouse lemur]] - endemic | + | * ''Microcebus tavaratra'' - [[Northern rufous mouse lemur]] - endemic |
| − | * Eliurus sp | + | * ''Eliurus sp'' nov - [[Tufted-tailed rat]] - endemic |
| − | 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. | + | 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: | Endemic carnivores living in Ankarana are: | ||
| − | * Cryptoprocta ferox - [[Fossa]] | + | * ''Cryptoprocta ferox'' - [[Fossa]] |
| − | * Galidia elegans - [[Ring-tailed mongoose]] | + | * ''Galidia elegans'' - [[Ring-tailed mongoose]] |
| − | * Fossa Fossana - [[Malagasy civet]]<br><br> | + | * ''Fossa Fossana'' - [[Malagasy civet]]<br><br> |
== The best fauna most visible to tourists == | == The best fauna most visible to tourists == | ||
| Line 91: | Line 91: | ||
<td>When to find</td></tr> | <td>When to find</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Eulemur coronatus</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Eulemur coronatus''</td> |
<td>Crowned lemur</td> | <td>Crowned lemur</td> | ||
<td>Crowned head lemur, male has a dark brown fur.</td> | <td>Crowned head lemur, male has a dark brown fur.</td> | ||
| Line 97: | Line 97: | ||
<td>Morning before noon and in the afternoon between 3pm and 5pm.</td></tr> | <td>Morning before noon and in the afternoon between 3pm and 5pm.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Eulemur fulvus sanfordi</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Eulemur fulvus sanfordi''</td> |
<td>Brown lemur / Sanford's lemur</td> | <td>Brown lemur / Sanford's lemur</td> | ||
<td>More luxuriant hair on the head. Males have a bushy collar of beard.</td> | <td>More luxuriant hair on the head. Males have a bushy collar of beard.</td> | ||
| Line 103: | Line 103: | ||
<td>Morning before noon and in the afternoon between 3pm and 5pm.</td></tr> | <td>Morning before noon and in the afternoon between 3pm and 5pm.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Lepilemur septentrionalis</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Lepilemur septentrionalis''</td> |
<td>Northern sportive lemur</td> | <td>Northern sportive lemur</td> | ||
<td>Small lemur with big eyes.</td> | <td>Small lemur with big eyes.</td> | ||
| Line 109: | Line 109: | ||
<td>All day whilst sleeping.</td></tr> | <td>All day whilst sleeping.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Galidia elegans</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Galidia elegans''</td> |
<td>Ring-tailed mongoose</td> | <td>Ring-tailed mongoose</td> | ||
<td>Mongoose with deep reddish-brown fur and a long, bushy black and red striped tail.</td> | <td>Mongoose with deep reddish-brown fur and a long, bushy black and red striped tail.</td> | ||
| Line 115: | Line 115: | ||
<td>At any time of the day.</td></tr> | <td>At any time of the day.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Uroplatus ebenaui</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Uroplatus ebenaui''</td> |
<td>Spear-tailed gecko</td> | <td>Spear-tailed gecko</td> | ||
<td>Usually camouflaged in the colour of the tree trunk, sitting 1.50m above the ground.</td> | <td>Usually camouflaged in the colour of the tree trunk, sitting 1.50m above the ground.</td> | ||
| Line 121: | Line 121: | ||
<td>During the morning.</td></tr> | <td>During the morning.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Furcifer pardalis</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Furcifer pardalis''</td> |
<td>Panther chameleon</td> | <td>Panther chameleon</td> | ||
<td>Dark green chameleon with a red stripe, white on the stomach.</td> | <td>Dark green chameleon with a red stripe, white on the stomach.</td> | ||
| Line 127: | Line 127: | ||
<td>At any time of the day.</td></tr> | <td>At any time of the day.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Crocodylus niloticus</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Crocodylus niloticus''</td> |
<td>Nile crocodile</td> | <td>Nile crocodile</td> | ||
<td>Black crocodile with short muzzle. Entire body lies in water, except the eyes and nose.</td> | <td>Black crocodile with short muzzle. Entire body lies in water, except the eyes and nose.</td> | ||
| Line 133: | Line 133: | ||
<td>During the dry season at any time of the day.</td></tr> | <td>During the dry season at any time of the day.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Lophotibus cristata</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Lophotibus cristata''</td> |
<td>Madagascar Crested Ibis</td> | <td>Madagascar Crested Ibis</td> | ||
<td>Bird with a bent stature, red and white feathers and short tail.</td> | <td>Bird with a bent stature, red and white feathers and short tail.</td> | ||
| Line 139: | Line 139: | ||
<td>During the morning.</td></tr> | <td>During the morning.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Mesitornis variegata</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Mesitornis variegata''</td> |
<td>White-breasted mesite</td> | <td>White-breasted mesite</td> | ||
<td>A bird slightly larger than the green pigeons. Light brown mottled with white chest, pointed beak, often in groups of eight to ten.</td> | <td>A bird slightly larger than the green pigeons. Light brown mottled with white chest, pointed beak, often in groups of eight to ten.</td> | ||
| Line 145: | Line 145: | ||
<td>During the morning and late afternoon.</td></tr> | <td>During the morning and late afternoon.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Rousettus madagascarensis</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Rousettus madagascarensis''</td> |
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td>Bats of larger size compared to other species, more elongated snout, gray/dark brown.</td> | <td>Bats of larger size compared to other species, more elongated snout, gray/dark brown.</td> | ||
| Line 151: | Line 151: | ||
<td>During the day.</td></tr> | <td>During the day.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Glossogobius ankaranensis</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Glossogobius ankaranensis''</td> |
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td>Blind fish, white and transparent.</td> | <td>Blind fish, white and transparent.</td> | ||
| Line 165: | Line 165: | ||
<td>Where to find</td></tr> | <td>Where to find</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Adansonia madagascarensis</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Adansonia madagascarensis''</td> |
<td>Baobab</td> | <td>Baobab</td> | ||
<td>Baobab with a large trunk and thick bark, high canopy. Edible fruits are rich in calcium.</td> | <td>Baobab with a large trunk and thick bark, high canopy. Edible fruits are rich in calcium.</td> | ||
<td>Dominates the track of the Turrets of Tsingy.</td></tr> | <td>Dominates the track of the Turrets of Tsingy.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Euphorbia ankaranensis</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Euphorbia ankaranensis''</td> |
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td>Tsingy vegetation, rough grass with spiny trunk and red flowers. Endemic to the reserve.</td> | <td>Tsingy vegetation, rough grass with spiny trunk and red flowers. Endemic to the reserve.</td> | ||
<td>Grows between the rocks of the tsingy.</td></tr> | <td>Grows between the rocks of the tsingy.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Adenia lapiazicola</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Adenia lapiazicola''</td> |
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td>Tsingy vegetation, liana similar to the shape of a demijohn, stores water in the dry season.</td> | <td>Tsingy vegetation, liana similar to the shape of a demijohn, stores water in the dry season.</td> | ||
<td>Grows between the rocks of the tsingy.</td></tr> | <td>Grows between the rocks of the tsingy.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Cyphostema macrocarpa</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Cyphostema macrocarpa''</td> |
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td>Tsingy vegetation, bottle-shaped vine with bark that peels.</td> | <td>Tsingy vegetation, bottle-shaped vine with bark that peels.</td> | ||
<td>Grows between the rocks of the tsingy.</td></tr> | <td>Grows between the rocks of the tsingy.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Commiphora spp | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Commiphora spp''</td> |
<td>Paper tree or Vazaha tree</td> | <td>Paper tree or Vazaha tree</td> | ||
<td>Tree with a gnarled trunk, bark peels in the dry season.</td> | <td>Tree with a gnarled trunk, bark peels in the dry season.</td> | ||
<td>In the tsingy and dense dry forest.</td></tr> | <td>In the tsingy and dense dry forest.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Dalbergia spp | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Dalbergia spp''</td> |
<td>Palissandre</td> | <td>Palissandre</td> | ||
<td>Tree with a huge trunk and hard bark, high canopy. Leafs rather small and composed.</td> | <td>Tree with a huge trunk and hard bark, high canopy. Leafs rather small and composed.</td> | ||
<td>In the semi-evergreen forest of the canyon (along the trail to the Green Lake and near the Camp of the Princes.</td></tr> | <td>In the semi-evergreen forest of the canyon (along the trail to the Green Lake and near the Camp of the Princes.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Ficus spp</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Ficus spp''</td> |
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td>Tree with a huge trunk and air roots.</td> | <td>Tree with a huge trunk and air roots.</td> | ||
<td>In the semi-evergreen forests of the canyon along the Green Lake trail.</td></tr> | <td>In the semi-evergreen forests of the canyon along the Green Lake trail.</td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>Tacca ankaranensis</td> | + | <tr bgcolor="#eadece" valign="top"><td>''Tacca ankaranensis''</td> |
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td>Shrub with a long thin stem and leafs similar to a papaya.</td> | <td>Shrub with a long thin stem and leafs similar to a papaya.</td> | ||
<td>Grows everywhere in the tsingy during the rainy season.</td></tr></table><br><br> | <td>Grows everywhere in the tsingy during the rainy season.</td></tr></table><br><br> | ||
Revision as of 20:54, 14 December 2011
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 along the RN6. Most of the people living in the region belong to the Antakarana ethnic group.
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 watercourses still 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. Amongst 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
- Gecko
- Uroplatus ebenaui - Spear-tailed gecko (endemic to the far north)
- Crocodile
- Crocodylus niloticus - Nile crocodile
- Crocodylus niloticus - Nile crocodile
Birds
There are at least 96 bird species in Ankarana, many of which are of great importance for conservation. They are:
- Mesitornis variegatus - White-breasted mesite
- Tyto soumagnei - Madagascan red owl
- Ardea humbloti - Humblot's heron
- Ardeola idea - Malagasy pond heron
- Lophotibis cristata - Madagascan crested ibis
- Haliaetus vociferoïdes
- Aviceda madagascariensis - Madagascan cuckoo-hawk
- Accipiter madagascariensis
- Caprimulgus enarratus - Collared nightjar
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 in Ankarana, the most commonly observed are:
- Eulemur coronatus - Crowned lemur
- Eulemur fulvus sanfordi - Brown lemur, sub-species Sanford's lemur
- Hapalemur griseus occidentalis - Bamboo lemur
- Lepilemur septentrionalis - Northern sportive lemur
- Phaner furcifer electromontis - Fork-marked lemur
- Daubentonia madagascariensis - Aye-aye
- Avahi occidentalis - Woolly lemur
- Microcebus tavaratra - Northern rufous mouse lemur - endemic
- Eliurus sp nov - Tufted-tailed rat - endemic
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:
- Cryptoprocta ferox - Fossa
- Galidia elegans - Ring-tailed mongoose
- Fossa Fossana - Malagasy civet
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 / Sanford's lemur | More luxuriant hair on the head. Males have a 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 in the colour of the tree trunk, sitting 1.50m above 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. |
The best flora most visible to tourists
| Scientific name | English name | Description | Where to find |
| Adansonia madagascarensis | Baobab | Baobab with a large trunk and thick bark, high canopy. Edible fruits are rich in calcium. | Dominates the track of the Turrets of Tsingy. |
| Euphorbia ankaranensis | Tsingy vegetation, rough grass with spiny trunk and red flowers. Endemic to the reserve. | Grows between the rocks of the tsingy. | |
| Adenia lapiazicola | Tsingy vegetation, liana similar to the shape of a demijohn, stores water in the dry season. | Grows between the rocks of the tsingy. | |
| Cyphostema macrocarpa | Tsingy vegetation, bottle-shaped vine with bark that peels. | Grows between the rocks of the tsingy. | |
| Commiphora spp | Paper tree or Vazaha tree | Tree with a gnarled trunk, bark peels in the dry season. | In the tsingy and dense dry forest. |
| Dalbergia spp | Palissandre | Tree with a huge trunk and hard bark, high canopy. Leafs rather small and composed. | In the semi-evergreen forest of the canyon (along the trail to the Green Lake and near the Camp of the Princes. |
| Ficus spp | Tree with a huge trunk and air roots. | In the semi-evergreen forests of the canyon along the Green Lake trail. | |
| Tacca ankaranensis | Shrub with a long thin stem and leafs similar to a papaya. | Grows everywhere in the tsingy during the rainy season. |
