is home to an amazing diversity of lizards and other reptiles: the tropical climate and regular sunshine provide the perfect environment for about 40 species. Each tree seems to accommodate a gold-flecked gecko or a chameleon. After the dry season from May to October it is easy to see an assortment of chameleons, lizards and snakes in the Anjajavy Forest. Among the snakes (that are not dangerous) are : Madagascar ground boa (Acrantophis madagascariensis) that can swallow a lemur in half an hour Madagascar hog-nosed snake (Leioheterodon madagascariensis)= Madagascar tree boa (Sanzinia madagascariensis) Cat eye snake (Madagascarophis colubrinus) Red eye snake (Stenophis variabilis) White hognose snake (Leioheterodon modestus) Leaf nose snake (Langaha madagascariensis) Zebra snake (Langaha alluaudi) Sword tailed snake (Ithycyphus perineti) (Liophidium torquatum) Whip snake (Dromicodryas bernieri) (Dromicodryas quadrilineatus) Pencil snake (Mimophis mahfalensis) (Heteroliodon accipitalis) (Heteroliodon fohy) Chameleon species present include: Giant chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti) Panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) Long nose chameleon (Furcifer angeli) Pygmy caméleon (Brookesia ambreensis) Plated leaf chameleon (Brookesia stumpffi) Madagascan Big-Headed Turtle This species of freshwater turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis) enjoys the lakes and streams of the Malagasy North-West coast. Its habitat is in great danger of destruction in favor of rice cultivation. The species is also threatened by collecting for the markets of traditional Asian pharmacopeia. It is the focus of numerous conservation programmes. Anjajavy le Lodge is pursuing a project of conservation of this turtle through monitoring of reproduction sites and through community awareness-raising campaigns. See also Madagascar dry deciduous forests Karst topography References Geography of Madagascar Forests of Madagascar Madagascar dry deciduous forests Protected areas in Diana Region