Random Insanely Cool Animals You Can Only Find In Madagascar (13 items)

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  (#2) Giraffe weevil

  • Trachelophorus giraffa

  Possibly one of the most bizarre insects in the world, the giraffe weevil definitely lives up to its name. It has an enormous, articulated neck which is much more prominent in the males of the species. Unlike giraffes, the long neck has nothing to do with reaching food and everything to do with making babies. Males use their long necks to fight each other and prove their worth to the females. After mating, females are known to make a nest by rolling up a leaf into a tube shape. Females only lay a single egg at a time, which is very unusual for an insect. 
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  (#11) Comet moth

  • Argema mittrei

  Also known as the Madagascan moon moth, the comet moth is a large insect that is known for its beautiful coloration and long tails. These moths have an incredibly short lifespan and usually survive for about a week at best. Very few comet moths even make it to adulthood, so life is hard for these impressive insects. Adult comet moths are physiologically incapable of eating, as their mouths and stomachs are merely vestigial and do not function. Their only purpose is to find a mate, and it's the males who have to do all the work. Females are known to remain entirely still as soon as they emerge from their cocoons, so the males have to fly out and find a mate before it's too late.
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  (#6) Blue Coua

  • Coua caerulea

  It's hard to miss a blue coua in the wild, as their vivid coloration stands out against the lush green of the jungle. They are quite common throughout the island and are at no immediate risk of extinction, unlike many other animals on Madagascar. They can be found in the island's forests and spend their days foraging for food. They are omnivores that will eat any fruits and insects they can find. These unique birds may not look like it, but they are actually closely related to cuckoo birds. 
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  (#5) Langaha madagascariensis

  • Langaha madagascariensis

  While none of the snakes of Madagascar are deadly to humans, the Madagascar spear-nosed snake has some pretty intimidating features. There are some legends that say these snakes will drop from trees and impale anyone foolish enough to stand under them, but these are just myths shared by locals. The snake is quite harmless, and its spear is most likely used as a form of camouflage rather as than a weapon. Males and females have slightly different nose shapes, with males being more pointed and females having a flatter nose. 
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  (#9) Fossa

  • Cryptoprocta ferox

  The fossa is like a cross between a house cat and a weasel, but they are actually a relative of the mongoose. While relatively small, the fossa is the largest carnivore in Madagascar and is considered an apex predator on the island. They are short creatures, but they can measure up to six feet in length to the tip of their tails. Fossas can pretty much eat anything on the island, including large species of lemur. They are incredibly speedy animals and can zip through the trees at lightning speeds. Due to extensive habitat loss, the fossa is unfortunately experiencing population declines. 
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  (#1) Lemur

  • Lemuriformes

  Lemurs are a unique family of prosimian primates that can only be found in the wilds of Madagascar. There are estimated to be at least 99 different species of lemur living on the island, and not all of them have the work "lemur" in their name. Perhaps the most famous species is the ring-tail lemur, a social animal known to live in large family groups. Ring-tails secrete a powerful musk that is used by males to establish dominance. The stinkier the lemur, the more masculine they appear. Unfortunately, deforestation has become a massive threat to the survival of lemurs all over Madagascar.

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