Lemurs

/ ©: WWF / Martina Lippuner
A group of nocturnal lemurs
© WWF / Martina Lippuner

Land of the lemurs

Separated from the African continent for millions of years, Madagascar's plants and animals have evolved like nowhere else in the world. So unique that the island nation is often referred to as the 8th continent.
Topping the list of rare and exotic species are the world-famous big-eyed, pointy-nosed primates - lemurs.

Lemurs vary greatly in size, appearance and behaviour - from the tiny pygmy mouse lemur to the large white and black panda-looking indri.

There is the sifaka, known as the "dancing" lemur because of its unusual ballet-like movement when sashaying across open areas, while the ring-tailed lemur is easily recognized by its long, black and white ringed tail.

Some live in the country's moist, tropical rainforests, while others live in dry forests and desert areas.

As diverse as they are, lemurs have one thing in common - they are all in some way in danger of becoming extinct

Madagascar’s spirits of the night

What
Lemurs are a special group of primates, which look something like a cat crossed with a squirrel and a dog, and are found only on Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. Lemurs live in a variety of habitats. Some live in moist, tropical rainforests, while others live in dry desert areas. The name lemur comes from the Latin word lemures, which means 'spirits of the night'.

The largest ever living type of lemur was the Archaeoindris with its weight ranging between 160 and 200 kg. It became extinct when humans first settled in Madagascar about 2,000 years ago.

About
Lemurs are prosimians, or primitive primates. They are social animals with long limbs, flexible toes and fingers, and long noses. Each type of lemur looks very different. They vary in colour from reddish brown to gray, and come in all different sizes, too.

The smallest lemur, the pygmy mouse lemur, weighs only 28 gm (1 oz). But the biggest lemurs, the Indri and Diademed Sifaka lemurs, can weigh up to 6.8 kg (15 lb), which is equivalent to a big cat. Lemurs are mainly vegetarian, generally they eat fruits and leaves. Some are nocturnal, whilst others are active during the day or at dawn.

Why
Lemurs are often seen 'sunbathing' in a meditative type position. Because their bellies are not as protected from a colder environment, these animals will warm themselves up by basking in the sunlight before they proceed to their daily foraging activities.

Lemurs use their lower teeth, incisors and canines as a toothcomb to groom themselves as well as other members of the group. Lemurs are vocal animals, making sounds that range from the grunts and swears of brown lemurs and sifaka to the chirps of mouse lemurs to the eerie, wailing call of the indri.

Your chances of seeing one in the wild
Habitat loss is the main threat to lemurs today, as people clear their native forests for farm land. 80% of the lemur's original habitat in Madagascar has been destroyed. Out of the 50 different kinds of lemurs, 10 are critically endangered, 7 are endangered, and 19 are considered vulnerable. All types of lemurs are protected by CITES, which makes it illegal to hunt or capture lemurs for trade.

Quick Links

Ring-tailed lemurs live in groups of 5-30 members. They have distinct hierarchies that are enforced ... / ©: WWF-Canon / Homo ambiens / R.Isotti-A.Cambone
Ring-tailed lemurs live in groups of 5-30 members. They have distinct hierarchies that are enforced by frequent, aggressive confrontations between members. Females dominate the group. Males have a social structure that undergoes great upheaval during mating season. Analamazaotra Special Reserve, Madagascar.
© WWF-Canon / Homo ambiens / R.Isotti-A.Cambone

International problems, local conservation

/ ©: Edward Parker / WWF-Canon
Andringitra National Park, Madagascar.
© Edward Parker / WWF-Canon
One reason lemurs and other species are so endangered is that their habitats are being cut down at an alarming rate.
Less than 10% of Madagascar's original forest cover exists today. Most has been cleared for agriculture, cattle grazing and firewood.

Many animals and plants are also threatened by the international wildlife trade. Chameleons, geckos, snakes and tortoises are the most targeted.

In an effort to revert the trend of biodiversity loss, WWF is working on a number of conservation efforts, including working with the government to create and expand protected areas.

WWF has been active in Madagascar for more than 4 decades, providing local communities with the support necessary to manage natural resources effectively. Many of the community-based conservation projects focus on sustainable income opportunities such as ecotourism. 

Building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

Photos and graphics © WWF or used with permission. Text available under a Creative Commons licence.