A lemur is a wet-nosed primate that is native to madagascar and nearby islands. Although they are related to monkeys and apes they are a separate branch of the primate family tree. In fact, lemurs are a type of prosimian which means that they evolved before monkeys and apes!
Lemurs are generally small in stature, but as there are many, many species of lemur (more on this below!) they can come in a variety of appearances. The most commonly recognised lemur, the ring-tailed lemur, has a grey to brown back with grey arms and legs, and dark grey necks and heads. Their faces are white with dark eye patches and a black nose. As the name suggests their tails are ‘ringed’ with black and white bands.
The name lemur originates from the Latin word lemures, which means the ‘spirits of the night’.
Lemurs belong to the Lemuridae family.
There are over 100 species of lemur! These range from the commonly known ring-tailed lemur, to the rare northern sporting lemur. It’s believed that one of the reasons that the lemur has grown to over 100 species is that they evolved in a good level of isolation without much competition for food and habitats, and so they were able to spread across the islands and thrive.
A group of lemurs is called a conspiracy!
Wild lemurs can only be found in one area throughout the world, Madagascar and the nearby Comono Islands.
Ring-tailed lemurs are commonly found in the southern and southwestern region of Madagascar.
Lemurs can run up to speeds of 12mph.
This will vary based on the species, but some lemurs are exceptional jumpers! In fact, Sifakas are known to leap up to 30 feet in one jump.
Lemurs are one of the most endangered groups of mammals in the world. Unfortunately, due to habitat loss from agriculture and logging, it’s estimated that 98% of lemur species are now endangered, and 31% are critically endangered. As of 2020, only four species of lemur were not including three mouth lemur species, and one dwarf lemur species.
The greater bamboo lemur is one of the species that is now critically endangered. This is only one step behind extinction of the species. The primary cause of their endangered status is a drastic loss of habitat. Deforestation due to a growth in farming, need for land, and for resources (wood) has put this species in danger.
The ring-tailed lemur is classified as an endangered species. Habitat loss had led to the population of ring-tailed lemurs dispersing into smaller groups. This, combined with the pet trade and being hunted for food, has reduced the species.
The lemur doesn’t have too many natural predators in the wild, but there are certainly animals that they will want to be wary of! These include the Fossa (a mammal that looks similar to a large cat), the Harrier Hawk and the Buzzard.
As we already discovered, lemurs can only be found in Madagascar and closely surrounding areas. As the many species of lemur are found across the large island of Madagascar, the habitats range greatly including rainforests dense with trees, to wetlands, mountains and forests.
If you want to help with the conservation of our animals you can adopt a lemur today, either for yourself or a friend or family member! Your support helps with the cost of caring for and supporting our resident lemurs. Or, to get up close and personal you can book a lemur feeding experience.
