| turtles | gecko | chameleons | skinks | lizards | snakes | frogs |

Madagascar has approximately 257 species of reptiles of which more than 90 percent are endemic. The largest reptile in Madagascar is the Nile crocodile (Crocodilus niloticus) which is severely threatened in the wild.

Turtles

There are four species of sea turtles which nest on the beaches. There are five species of land tortoises, four of which are endemic. Two species, the plowshare tortoise (Geochelone yniphora) and the radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata) are particularly endangered and are a focus of captive breeding conservation efforts in Madagascar.

Gecko’s

There are 63 species of geckos on Madagascar, 53 of which are endemic. One of these, the Madagascar leaf-tailed gecko (Europlatus fibriatus), is kept in the reptile collections of several zoos and is an astounding example of camouflage

Chameleons

Madagascar is famous for its chameleons. The island is home to two-thirds of all the world's chameleon species. There are approximately 54 species of chameleon in Madagascar. These range from the giant Chamaeleo oustaleti which may measure up to 68 cm (27 inches) long to the diminutive Brookesia minima which reaches only 3 cm (1.3 inches). Chameleon are Old World lizards that dwell in trees, except for the stump-tailed chameleon, Brookesia, which lives mainly on the forest floor. They are noted for their ability to change color in response to light, heat, and other stimuli.

Skinks

Madagascar also has 48 species of skinks, 47 of which are endemic

Lizards

The island has 12 species of girdle-tailed lizards (Family Cordylididae)(11 of which are endemic).

Snakes

Madagascar has more than 60 species of snakes, none of them poisonous. Of interest to biogeographers are the boas, whose nearest relatives occur in South America, demonstrating the ancient connection between these two lands at the time from Gondwanaland.

Frogs

Madagascar has no newts, salamanders, toads, or caecilians. However, it has at least 150 species of frogs. Note that all but two (Rana tigerina and Ptychadena mascareniensis) are endemic to the island! The frogs are found principally in the eastern forests. At Perinet (Andasibe) alone, 50 species of frogs have been found. You will be amazed about the dazzling colors some of the frogs have !