Kyle Horner Nature Blog: Still Alive in MG!!

Hello!

I have finally returned to the internet after a month-long absence (how did I survive??). Last full day in Madagascar, flying to South Africa tomorrow. Internet access in SA should be slightly more frequent than it has been here (none), but probably not significantly. I will try to update when I can.

In the meantime, prepare for the longest post ever. To make up for my absence, I have prepped a bunch of photos (quickly, and on a tiny computer, so I hope they're ok!). I haven't had time to research the IDs yet, so apologize where they are lacking or incorrect!

We've managed about a half-a-dozen snakes in MG, mostly small and terrestrial. Apparently the Malagasy name of this species means "many snakes in one hole." Garter Snake anyone? (thanks to Bryna for excellent snake-wrangling!).

Lateral Water Snake (Bibilava lateralis)

Frog diversity here is stunning, and there are more frog species than birds!

Greater Madagascan Green Treefrog (Boophis luteus)

We've seen about a dozen chameleon species in the country, some very big and some very small!

Thiel's Pygmy Chameleon (Brookesia thieli)

Short-horned Chameleon (Calumma brevicorne)

One of my favourite bird species here:

Collared Nightjar (Caprimulgus enarratus)

Another cham!

Jewel Chameleon (Furcifer lateralis)

Truly one of the most bizarre (and among stiff competition) species that MG has to offer:

Giraffe-necked Weevil (Trachelophorus giraffa)

More frogs...

Betsileo Reed Frog (Heterixalus betsileo)

Largest lemur in the world!

Indri (Indri indri)

Sneaky kingfisher photo...

Madagascar Kingfisher (Alcedo vintsioides)

One of the most sought-after frogs in the country!

Baron's Mantella (Mantella baroni)

Total guess on the ID here, but it certainly appears to be a Nephila spider to me. Check out the male (fully grown) on her back. Careful little fella! (not a joke - she would be quite happy to eat him before or after mating).

Giant Orb-Weaver (Nephila sp?)

Frequently shared breakfast with our little friend Larry (well, until we realized that Larry was actually Larries...). Day-Geckos eat fruit and nectar, so a little jam or honey was not to be passed up. Apparently chocolate cake is just as good. (sad to note that although Day-Geckos enjoy chocolate cake, they do not posses a mechanism to ingest it effectively - Larry basically pressed his tongue against it for a while and hoped it would absorb).

Lined Day-Gecko (Phelsuma lineata)

One of my most-wanted Madagascar creatures!

Pill Millipede (Family: Arthrosphaeridae)

Tons of great butterflies, no way to identify them...

Butterfly (Species Unknown)

Craziest thing ever! Total length about 3 inches. Start researching turbellarians, prepare to be dumbfounded.

Turbellarian Flatworm (Species Unknown)