Photo credit: Steven Goodman
The Madagascan Land Crab, Madagapotamon humberti, is listed as ‘VULNERABLE’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. This long-legged, brightly coloured, air-breathing land crab is restricted to limestone formations, and requires a specialized habitat of water-filled crevices in limestone.
The Ankarana Massif in northern Madagascar is an undeveloped region of the island with vast limestone formations that include caves, underground rivers, and forested valleys. The Madagascan Land Crab spends its time within deep fissures in the limestone during the dry season, and emerges to feed in the nearby forests when the rainy season begins. The specialized habitat of this species limits its distribution to this part of the island, and it is endemic to Madagascar.
Despite the fact that several specimens have been collected recently from different localities, the long-term threats to the survival of this species remain, and include habitat disturbance and pollution. In addition, only part of its range lies within a protected area, so the long-term survival of this vulnerable and ecologically unusual species could be at risk.
Geographic Range of the Madagascan Land Crab
Credit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
To learn more about Madagascan Land Crab, click here. Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ by clicking their logo below.
To learn more about the Bush Warriors “Species of the Day” feature, please click here and read up on our initiative to raise awareness about the loss of earth’s biodiversity.
