Critter Guide :: Mammals :: Lemur
Lemurs are small primates and although we look nothing alike, lemurs and humans are related! Lemurs come as small as a mouse and as large as a housecat. There are 50 species of lemurs and 17 of them are on the endangered species list. Lemurs are most recognizable for their big, bushy tails that they wave to each other in order to communicate and to help them keep their balance when leaping from tree to tree. One type of lemur, the sifaka, is famous for its vertical leaps; it is able to leap 30 feet in one bound.
Where do they live?
Lemurs are found only on Madagascar (an island off the coast of Africa) and the Comoro Islands. These islands have varying habitats for lemurs, from tropical rainforests to dry deserts.
What do they eat?
Lemurs are vegetarians, eating mostly leaves and fruit; however, smaller lemurs will eat insects.
Social Environment
Most lemurs live in trees, spending their time high up in the canopy. Ring-tails are the only lemurs who spend most of their time on the ground. Most lemurs are social, living in groups, headed by a dominant female. Most lemurs are diurnal, although the smaller lemurs are nocturnal, preferring the safety of darkness to get out and feed. Lemurs use scent to communicate.
Critter Fact
The solitary aye-aye's ghostly appearance and boldness has long mystified locals and researchers. Aye-ayes, medium-sized nocturnal lemurs, also have a curious way of eating. They tap on trees, listening for insect reverberations inside. Then they rip the bark open with their sharp teeth and scoop out insect larvae with their unique elongated middle finger.
Did You Know?
Lemurs are very important to the ecology of their island homes because they disperse seeds from the fruit they eat. This work is vital for the island, since over 80 percent of Madagascar has been cleared of forest. The deforestation of Madagascar for timber and agriculture has threatened the survival of all lemurs.
Related Episodes
A Lemur's Tale
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/lemur/
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