Someone tweeted "cute". Hm. Carnivorous, fierce, merciless. Elegant. Lithe. Beautiful. All those. But cute? Not so sure... :)

It got a little tired of my propinquity and scuttled up this tree and all but poked its tongue out at me ...

I think you can tell here that he's male. View of his "tomatoes" as Malagasy people call the cojones ... good view of shoulders and hindquarters too

Like so many creatures in Madagascar, he looks a little as he's been put together from other animals' spare parts ... x

They go up trees headfirst (naturally) but also down headfirst ... x

So feline. But not a true cat ... a member of the viverridae order which include civet "cats" ... x

This male fossa (usually pronounced to rhyme with "pusher") was probably bolder than usual as its mating season. Very rare to get so close. Amazing luck x

The only venomous snakes in Madagascar can't hurt humans as they have rear incisors. This chap's a constrictor of course x

Here s/he's gone a bit greener ... actually may not be the same one. But found the next morning nearby. x

Pronounced 'shiffahk': they walk wonderfully, a sideways bounce with arms in the air and tummies out. Cuddly toys

OK, not the best photo in the world, but I only had a compact: aye-ayes are nocturnal and live high up x

Mother and child. Lemurs are rare amongst mammals in having matriarchal societies.

The father. Males have white fur around the face. Worry, I expect.

Wonky, but friendly

Pretty good disguise, eh?

This is a full grown adult ... perfect in every detail, swivelling eyes, colour change, everything.

Elephants this side of DRC border safe, other side vulnerable to machine gunning poachers. Turns the stomach, no?

River is Uganda/DRC border. Spotted snare on this hippo's leg. Hope vet will have removed by now. Poachers. Bah!

Uninvited guest on the balcony of Paul Williams and Vicky Holt of Bwindi Community Hospital, http://www.BCHC.ug

Just about to growl a warning to me to back off or become a snack. I elected the former course of action.