Report from Madagascar Feb/Mar 2019 (3): Rare species living in Andasibe
Andasibe national park is located between Antananarivo and Toamasina, where many species which can be seen only in Madagascar live. It attracts lots of foreigners because of its easy access from Tana. I often visit there when I go back to Antananarivo from Toamasina. It would take 8 hours from Toamasina to Tana, therefore staying in Andasibe on the way makes journey easier and more enjoyable.
I left Toamasina in the morning and reached Andasibe afthernoon, stayed there one night and went back to Tana next day, this time. We can have walk in the park three times (afternoon and night on 1st day and morning on the 2nd day) with this schedule. I always asked Dimasy my guide. He is a professional guide. I met him when I came to Andasibe for the first time. I like him as he is kind and has excellent skill and knowledge. I would call him before I go there and he kindly wait for me at bus stop.
Andasibe is the famous place where indri, the largest lemur in the world lives. Also there is mouse lemur, the world smallest lemur as well. Also we can see birds, reptile such as chameleon, flog and gecko, and rear insects.
This time, I met indris, mouse lemurs, birds, chameleons, frogs and some insects. Most exciting one was comet moth which is the world largest silk moth (on top picture). Early in the morning, Dimasy came to me and said “Come with me, I found some great thing!!” and we went to the train station where I saw a big comet moth under the leaf of the building!! I also came across giraffe weevil which I wanted to see for a long time.
giraffe weevil
Like this, Andasibe is definitely the place to go for who like to see rare livingthings. Eveny if you are not intersted in livingthings, you also should go there. You can enjoy walk in rainforests. Also I strongly recommend to join a night hike, where you can see different species which you can’t see under daylight like mouse lemur, and breathtaking stars in the sky is waiting for you.
I will report from Sambava where the main production site of Madagascar vanilla next time.
Do you see something on the picture? I was amazed by the fact that Dimasy found it in the forest. Could someone tell me the name of this insect?
Flogs with beautiful transparent body
Chameleon!!
My sleepy but excited face (right) and Dimasy with comet moth on his hand (left)