One Sticky Wicket

Besides the tsingy (see previous post), another unusual and totally unique Madagascan desert-type ecosystem found in the southwestern part of the island is known as the Spiny Forest or Spiny Thicket filled with several species of baobab trees and large succulent trees, that look somewhat like a cactus, called Alluaudia.

Source:  Wikiinfo

Alluaudia ascendens  Source:  Commonswikimedi.org

The baobab's huge trunk stores water with a small 'crewcut' of leaves on top to help conserve energy and water.

Besides these and many other plant species which are endemic to this region, there are lemur species that manage to survive here too including the white-footed sportive lemur and the gray-brown mouse lemur.   Another mongoose species, the Grandidier's mongoose, is also only found in this area.  It looks a little bit like a huge chipmunk.

Source:  Wikipedia

A couple of species of tenrec is also found here.  What is a tenrec?  Good question.  Their closest relatives are the golden mole and the elephant shrew, but depending on the area of Madagascar they are found, they can look very different from each other.  The species found here are the large-eared tenrec and the lesser hedgehog tenrec.

Source:  Wikipedia

Source:  Conservation Report

I think you can tell which one is which.  Two tortoises are also found here - the spider tortoise...

Source:  Wikipedia

and the radiated tortoise.  Doesn't it have a beautiful shell??

Source:  Wikipedia

There are many species of birds that call this area home as well, like the Red-shouldered Vanga..

Photo by Pete Morris  Source:  BirdQuest

Archibold's Newtonia...

Photo by Pete Morris  Source:  BirdQuest

and the Long-tailed Ground Roller.

Photo by Simon Harrap  Source:  BirdQuest

Madagascar's Spiny Forest is truly an amazing place!