Madagascar broke away from what is now India 80 million years ago. That makes it the world’s oldest island! Most of the plants and animals that live there today evolved, or developed gradually over time, separate from the rest of the world. If you traveled there, you would see species that don’t exist anywhere else on Earth!

In the warm, green rainforests, you might spot a fossa on the hunt. A Parson’s chameleon might flick its tongue at you. If you’re lucky, a fluffy ring-tailed lemur could hop across your path! All 107 species of lemur, a type of primate, live only on Madagascar. But be careful not to step on a hissing cockroach! These insects are the size of your palm and make a hissing sound to warn off predators.

Something happened 80 million years ago. Madagascar broke away from what is now India. That makes it the world’s oldest island! Most plants and animals that live there today are special. They evolved separately from the rest of the world. That means they developed slowly over time. As a result, the island has species found nowhere else on Earth!

Madagascar is covered with warm, green rainforests. You might spot a fossa on the hunt. A Parson’s chameleon might flick its tongue at you. A fluffy ring-tailed lemur could hop across your path if you’re lucky. There are 107 species of lemur. It is a type of primate. All lemurs live only on Madagascar. But be careful not to step on a hissing cockroach! These insects are the size of your palm. They make a hissing sound to warn off predators.

More than 30 million people call Madagascar home. The majority belong to a group called the Malagasy. Most Malagasy are descended from African and Indonesian explorers who settled on the island roughly 2,000 years ago.

In the past, farmers cut down many of Madagascar’s trees. This deforestation caused the island to lose an estimated 80 percent of its natural areas. Today local villagers work with organizations like the World Wildlife Fund to help preserve their nation’s ecosystem. You might join a patrol to track the health of a forest’s plants and animals.

More than 30 million people call Madagascar home. Most belong to a group called the Malagasy. Their ancestors were mainly African and Indonesian explorers. They settled on the island about 2,000 years ago.

Farmers cut down many of Madagascar’s trees in the past. This led to deforestation. The island lost about 80 percent of its natural areas. Today local villagers work with organizations like the World Wildlife Fund. Together, they protect the nation’s ecosystem. You might join a patrol. You could track the health of a forest’s plants and animals.

It’s warm, wet, and buggy in Madagascar for much of the year, so it’s important to be prepared! Pack a rain jacket and umbrella. Sunscreen and mosquito repellent are also a must. For all weather, a lightweight long-sleeve shirt and pants will keep you protected on your hikes.

Don’t forget the things you’ll need to have fun! You won’t be able to explore a coral reef without diving gear. And is that a lemur in a tree? Better bring a good pair of binoculars to take a closer look!

Madagascar is warm, wet, and buggy for much of the year. So it’s important to be prepared! Pack a rain jacket and umbrella. Sunscreen and bug spray are also a must. Take a lightweight long-sleeve shirt and pants. They’ll protect you on hikes.

Don’t forget the things you’ll need to have fun! You’ll need diving gear to explore a coral reef. And is that a lemur in a tree? Better bring a good pair of binoculars to take a closer look!