1. By Amie Apps

2.  Madagascar was formed as its own country 88 million years ago when it broke off from India.  Its population is around 22 million and there are 18 ethnic Malagasy tribes.  Madagascar has an amazing area of 226,658 square miles/587,041 square kilometres.  It has a latitude of 18 degrees 48’s and a longitude of47 degrees 29E

3.  In Madagascar the most common animal is the lemur. The lemur has 30 different species!  Chameleons are also found in Madagascar, they have 27 different species.  95% of Madagascar's reptiles and 92% of the mammals are endemic.  From 1999 – 2010 scientists have discovered 615 new species including 41 mammals and 61 reptiles.  Endangered species in Madagascar include: the silky sifaka – a lemur and the ploughshare tortoise.  BBC – Live fast die young video BBC – Live fast die young video  80% of animals in Madagascar are evolutionary unique ( you cant find them any where else in the world.)  67% insect fauna species are claimed endemic ( not to occur else where.)  Tenrecs were one of the first animals that arrived on Madagascar.

4.  In Madagascar alone there are 11,00  Endemic plants.  Madagascar has 12000 plant species and 70 %  - 80% of them are evolutionary unique.  One of Madagascar's most famous plants is called  The Baobab tree.  In the south western part of the island almost every  Plant is covered in sharp spines.  Another interesting fact is that the island has 1000  Known species of orchid and 85% of them are  Endemic they can survive because of something  Called adaptation.  If you think about plants would have had to adapt to  Survive in Madagascar's harsh heat so they must  Have had to adapt, one way is by having spines as  Leaves, this helps them to keep the water that they  Collect from their roots.

5.  In Madagascar, the landscapes are absolutely beautiful for us to look at but to species like lemurs they can be like war zones between predators and prey.  Maromakotra is the highest point in Madagascar and that is where a specific species of lemur has to cross which is very visible to birds of prey…  For all the different species of animals to survive or cross maromakotra they have to be able to adapt and change themselves naturally otherwise they would not be able to survive.

6.  These are some endemic species.

7. Madagascar has the most evolutionary unique animals in the whole world and they all are truly amazing. For example: lemurs, aye – ayes and chameleons. There is no end to the endemic species living there! Being able to adapt to their new and old environments and by not getting eaten by predators, birds of prey and other animals makes them evolutionary. But flora and fauna survive and adapt in different ways, for example: fauna ( animals) survive and adapt by things like camouflage, speed and intelligence. Flora ( plants) on the other hand, adapt and survive by changing themselves so they can stay alive, this includes having spines instead of leaves.