Ring-Tailed Lemurs, Ring-Tailed Lemur Pictures, Ring-Tailed Lemur Facts - National Geographic Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man Please add a "relative" entry to your dictionary. Lemurs are primates found only on the African island of Madagascar and some tiny neighboring islands. Because of its geographic isolation, Madagascar is home to many amazing animals found nowhere else on Earth. Lemurs may have floated there eons ago on "rafts" of vegetation and evolved in isolation over countless centuries. Ring-tailed lemurs are unmistakable because of their long, vividly striped, black-and-white tail. They are familiar residents of many zoos. Lemurs use their hands and feet to move nimbly through the trees, but cannot grip with their tails as some of their primate cousins do. Ring-tailed lemurs also spend a lot of time on the ground, which is unusual among lemur species. They forage for fruit, which makes up the greater part of their diet, but also eat leaves, flowers, tree bark, and sap. Ring-tailed lemurs have powerful scent glands and use their unique odor as a communication tool and even as a kind of weapon.

Lemurs mark their territory by scent, serving notice of their presence to all who can smell. During mating season, male lemurs battle for dominance by trying to outstink each other. They cover their long tails with smelly secretions and wave them in the air to determine which animal is more powerful. Ring-tailed lemurs live in groups known as troops. These groups may include 6 to 30 animals, but average about 17. Both sexes live in troops, but a dominant female presides over all. Ring-tailed lemurs are endangered, largely because the sparse, dry forests they love are quickly vanishing. Primate Factsheets: Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) Taxonomy, Morphology, & Ecology Other names: lémur catta (French); maki (Malagasy); lemur colianillado (Spanish); katta, kattlemur, or ringsvanslemur (Swedish) MORPHOLOGY The conspicuous characteristic for which ring-tailed lemurs are known is their long tail, measuring about 60 cm (23.6 in), that has alternating bands of black and white rings (Mittermeier et al.

1994). The rest of their bodies are light reddish gray to dark red-brown with light gray to dark brown rumps and light gray to gray-brown limbs. They have white undersides, hands, and feet. They have white faces with dark brown or black triangular eye patches that look like a mask around their light brown eyes and they have black muzzles. Their ears are white and angular, similar to a cat's. Male ring-tailed lemurs have darkly colored scent glands on the inside of their wrists with a spur-like fingernail, usually referred to as a horny spur, overlay on each. Males also have scent glands on their chests, just above the collarbone and close to the armpit. Both male and female ring-tailed lemurs have anogenital scent glands (Mittermeier et al. 1994; Rowe 1996; Groves 2001; Palagi et al. 2004).

Males and females are about the same size, in the wild measuring about 42.5 cm (1.39 ft) from head to rump and weighing between 2207 and 2213 g (4.87 and 4.89 lb), on average (Mittermeier et al. 1994; Sussman 2000). In captivity, ring-tailed lemurs weigh slightly more than their wild counterparts with males weighing, on average, 2705 g (5.96 lb) and females average 2678 g (5.90 lb) (Kappeler 1991). Ring-tailed lemurs share unique dental characteristics with other members of the Superfamily Lemuroidea; they have specialized teeth in their lower jaw that form a dental comb. These long, narrow teeth project nearly straight forward from the jaw and this specialized dentition is thought to aid in grooming (Swindler 2002). Photo: Roy Fontaine Ring-tailed lemurs are the most terrestrial of all lemurs, but they spend time in all layers of the forest.

They move by walking or running quadrupedally , holding their tails almost completely vertically as they move, with the tip of the long tail curving away from the body forming the shape of a question mark (Mittermeier et al. 1994; Jolly 2003). In the wild, it is rare for female ring-tailed lemurs to live past 16 years of age and the oldest known wild female was between 18 and 20 years old. Male life span is even less well-known, because of the social system, but have been recorded living to at least 15 years of age (Gould et al. 2003; Sauthers pers. comm). In captivity, life span has reached 27 years (Jolly 2003). RANGE Lemur catta The only place where members of the Superfamily Lemuroidea, including ring-tailed lemurs, can be found in the wild is Madagascar.

Situated to the southeast of Africa and separated from the continent by the 800 km-wide (497 mi) Mozambique Channel, the island of Madagascar is in the Indian Ocean and is the fourth largest island in the world (Swindler 2002). Ring-tailed lemurs are restricted to the south and southwestern portion of the island, reaching a northern limit near the town of Morondava on the west coast and the town of Ambalavao in the east. The southeastern limit is the town of Tolagnaro on the southern coast (Mittermeier et al. 1994; Jolly 2003). Ring-tailed lemurs are found in the vicinity of nine forests: Andohahela, Andringitra, Ankilitelo, Berenty, Beza Mahafaly, Isalo, Tsimanampetsotsa, Tsirave, and Zombitse (Godfrey et al. 1998). Ring-tailed lemurs have also been introduced to the United States on St.

Catherine's Island, Georgia as part of a project to establish a free-ranging, breeding population that could be studied and in the future could potentially serve as a source to restock parks in Madagascar (Iaderosa & Lessnau 1995). Most field studies of ring-tailed lemurs have been conducted at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve and Berenty Private Reserve, a family-owned forest set aside in the 1940s (Sauther et al. 1999). They have also been studied at Andringitra National Park, Isalo National Park, and Andohahela Nature Reserve (Mittermeier et al. 1994). One particularly notable field researcher, Alison Jolly, has been conducting long-term ecological and behavioral research on ring-tailed lemurs at Berenty since the early 1960s and has contributed greatly to the knowledge of wild ring-tailed lemurs. Long-term studies have also been ongoing at Beza Mahafaly most notably conducted by Robert Sussman, Lisa Gould, and Michelle Sauther.

Captive research has been conducted at the Duke University Primate Center in North Carolina since the mid-1980s and also has provided invaluable information about the species (Sauther et al. 1999). There are almost 2000 ring-tailed lemurs in captivity ( ). The wild population is unknown (Harcourt and Thornback 1990). HABITAT Madagascar is a 1650 km- (1025 mi-)long island divided by a mountain chain running the length of the island from north to south. This mountainous divide partitions Madagascar into eastern and western parts, each of which has distinctive climate, topography , and vegetation (Jury 2003). Ring-tailed lemurs are found in the southeastern portion of the island at elevations from sea level to 2600 m (8530 ft) in a variety of habitat types including rainforests, subalpine , deciduous , gallery , and spiny bush forests (Goodman & Langrand 1996; Goodman et al. 2003).

Much of their habitat has been altered by human impact through clearing for agriculture, burning for charcoal production, and deforesting areas to create settlements (Sussman et al. 2003). Ring-tailed lemurs require some forest cover and are not successful at resettling in secondary growth areas once they have been cleared therefore the total range occupied is large, but their distribution is patchy and dependent on forest cover (Jolly 2003). In the southwestern part of the country, rainfall can be as little as 30 to 50 mm (1.18 to 1.97 in) per year and the habitat is mainly desert or thorny scrub with plants adapted to very low levels of rainfall. The driest and coldest times of the year last from May to September (winter) and the wetter and warmer months are from December to March (summer) (Jolly 1966; Jury 2003). Average temperatures in this area are about 30° C (86° F) during January and 24° C (75.2° F) during July (Jury 2003).

Southwestern Madagascar is subject to periodic drought that can have serious impacts on the ring-tailed lemur and other mammalian inhabitants (Gould et al. 1999). From west to east across Madagascar, rainfall increases and vegetation becomes lusher. Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve is composed of both xerophytic forests , characteristic of the extreme southwest, and greener gallery forests with taller, more densely forested areas along the banks and tributaries of the Mandrare River (Sussman 1991; Mertl-Millhollen et al. 2003; Sussman 2003). Gallery forests are found throughout southern and southwestern Madagascar along seasonally inundated rivers and their tributaries such as the Mangoky and Onilahy Rivers, as well as the Mandrare River (Sussman et al. 2003). Annual rainfall at Beza Mahafaly averages about 750 mm (2.46 ft), most of which falls during the rainy season that lasts from November to March.

The temperatures in this part of the island average between 34° and 35° C (93.2° and 95° F) but can reach highs of 48° C (118.4° F). During the coolest months of the year, June through August, very little rain falls and temperatures average between 23° and 30° C (73.3° and 86° F), but can be as low as 3° C (5.4° F) at night (Sussman 1991). Continuing eastward through their range toward the central highlands that run north to south on the island, elevation increases and ring-tailed lemurs are found at altitudes up to 2600 m (8530 ft). In these areas, subalpine forests, exposed rock, and savanna dominate the landscape. Temperatures can range between -7° to 26° C (19.4° to 78.8° F) and this area is considered the most meteorologically extreme site on the island (Goodman & Langrand 1996).

ECOLOGY Photo: Michelle Sauther Because of the highly seasonal environment in which they live, wild ring-tailed lemurs must exploit a wide variety of food sources throughout the year. They are best characterized as opportunistic omnivores and eat ripe fruits, leaves, leaf stems, flowers, flower stems, exudates , spiders, spider webs, caterpillars, cicadas, insect cocoons, birds, chameleons, cicadas, grasshoppers, and even dirt from termite mounds (Oda 1996; Sauther et al. 1999; Jolly 2003). One of the most important food sources for ring-tailed lemurs is the tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica) which not only is abundant in gallery and more open forests away from rivers, but which produces fruits and leaves at alternating times of the year, providing a reliable, year-round food source for the lemurs (Jolly et al. 2002; Mertl-Millhollen et al. 2003).

Tamarinds can provide up to 50% of the total food consumed during some times of the year and are considered a keystone resource for ring-tailed lemurs (Sauther 1998; Jolly 2003). In the driest parts of their range, water availability is a potentially serious issue. Ring-tailed lemurs are able to obtain water from succulent plants including aloe and prickly pear cactus as well as from dew and water that accumulates in crevices such as tree holes (Sauther et al. 1999; Jolly 2003). Vegetation availability is strictly linked to rainfall. During the rainy season, from roughly October through April, fruit and young leaves become available to ring-tailed lemurs. There are two peaks in fruit availability, from October to November and from March to April. During the dry season, the tamarind tree is one of the only sources of fruit (Sauther 1998). Flower availability peaks before the start of the rainy season and is another important food source.

Throughout the dry season, even mature leaves can be scarce and ring-tailed lemurs eat dry, desiccated leaves, which are more difficult to digest. During this time of year, young leaves are found only on a few tree or shrub species and are distributed patchily. Flowers, fruit, and young leaves are at the lowest levels during June and July, when barely any rain falls. This is the period of highest nutritional stress for ring-tailed lemurs and they rely heavily on tamarind trees during this time of year (Sauther 1998). Ring-tailed lemurs start their day waking before dawn and moving about in the branches of the group's sleeping tree. One group splits into two sleeping parties each night, huddling together while sleeping (Jolly 1966; Sussman 2000).

Between 5:30 and 8:30 a.m., ring-tailed lemurs move into the sun, away from the sleeping tree and onto exposed ground, and begin feeding and "sunning." The "sunning" posture is distinctive and stereotyped ; ring-tailed lemurs sit upright on their haunches, spread-eagle, and rest their forearms on their knees, exposing their undersides to direct sunlight. This behavior is probably linked to thermoregulation as it is often seen following cold nights or during cold mornings (Jolly 1966). The group moves again around noon and they settle in the shade for a brief rest period. They become active again in the early afternoon, foraging, feeding and traveling until the late afternoon. Depending on the time of year, they may take another rest in the mid-afternoon on particularly hot days. After intensely feeding in the late afternoon, the entire group travels back to the sleeping tree where as a group they remain for the rest of the night, but during which individuals may move about the tree, groom, and interact (Jolly 1966; Sussman 2000). About 70% of group travel is terrestrial.

About 33% of an individual ring-tailed lemur's average day is spent on the ground, the rest of its time is spent in mid- or upper-level canopy trees (23% and 25%, respectively), in small bushes (13%), or in the emergent layer of the canopy (6%) (Sussman 2000). The average day range of ring-tailed lemurs is about 1000 m (.621 mi) and one group will use the same part of its home range for three or four days before moving to another part. The home range size varies, depending on habitat, and average size ranges from.1 to.35 km² (.039 to.135 mi²) (Sussman 2000). In drier or more disturbed habitats, home range sizes are larger, averaging.32 km² (.124 mi²) compared to wetter habitats where ring-tailed lemurs have home ranges averaging.17 km² (.066 mi²).

Ring-tailed lemurs seasonally expand their home ranges; during the dry season they utilize larger areas because of the resource scarcity (Sussman 1991). The home ranges of multiple groups of ring-tailed lemurs overlap, and there are few areas that are exclusively used by only one group (Sauther & Sussman 1993; Sussman 2000; Mertl-Millhollen et al. 2003). Population density is also linked to habitat quality. In wetter, lusher areas, there are more ring-tailed lemurs per square kilometer, up to 350 per km² (135 per mi²), compared to dry or disturbed areas that can have densities as low as 17 per km² (6.56 per mi²) (Sussman 2000). Photo: Herbert Gustafson Ring-tailed lemurs are sympatric with nine other primates within their range including: Verreaux's sifaka ( Propithecus verreauxi ), red-tailed sportive lemur ( L. ruficaudatus ), white-footed sportive lemur ( L.

leucopus ), brown lemur ( Eulemur fulvus ), greater dwarf lemur ( Cheirogaleus major ), fat-tailed dwarf lemur ( C. medius ), aye-aye ( Daubentonia madagascariensis ), ruffed lemur ( Varecia variegata ), and lesser bamboo lemur ( Hapalemur griseus ) (Mittermeier et al. 1994). Research on competition for resources between Verreaux's sifaka and ring-tailed lemurs reveals that there is little direct competition for food, even during the dry season when resources are limited. Though they naturally have overlapping ranges in other parts of Madagascar, at Berenty Private Reserve, brown lemurs were introduced in 1975 and they now compete with ring-tailed lemurs for access to food. The two species have high dietary overlap at Berenty and likely compete for similar foods during times of scarcity. The development of a tourist center at the reserve has decreased this competition because new opportunities for both water and food have been introduced via the establishment of watering troughs and the addition of cultivated and ornamental plants (Simmen et al. 2003).

In the Antserananomby Forest, where brown and ring-tailed lemurs naturally occur together, niche separation is significant and daily activity patterns separate the two species, preventing direct competition for resources (Sussman 2000). Competition with the other sympatric species has not been recorded, likely because many of the other species are nocturnal. Actual predation pressure on ring-tailed lemurs is unknown. However, some potential predators include raptors , cat-like carnivores such as fossas and civets, various snakes, and brown lemurs, which have been recorded capturing and eating infant ring-tailed lemurs. Domestic cats introduced to Madagascar also are responsible for predation losses (Goodman et al. 1993; Goodman 2003). Content last modified: September 21, 2005 Written by Kristina Cawthon Lang . Reviewed by Michelle Sauther . Cite this page as: Cawthon Lang KA. 2005 September 21. Primate Factsheets: Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) Taxonomy, Morphology, & Ecology . < Accessed 2017 January 19.

Lemurs of Madagascar More lemur photos Madagascar is world-famous for its lemurs—primates that look something like a cat crossed with a squirrel and a dog. These animals are unique to the island and display a range of interesting behaviors from singing like a whale (the indri) to sashaying across the sand like a ballet dancer (the sifaka). Below you will learn more about these fascinating creatures. Lemur history Madagascar lacks the dominant form of primate distributed worldwide, those of the suborder Haplorhini (monkeys, chimps, gorillas, and Homo sapiens). Instead, their niche has been filled by an older group of primates, the lemurs. Lemurs belong to the sub-order Strepsirhini together with bushbabies, lorises, and pottos which—like the original lemurs—are nocturnal, insectivorous primates characterized by a small body, a long nose, and large eyes. Lemurs have an interesting evolutionary history and the only reason they still exist today is because of Madagascar's isolation.

Until around 160 million years ago, Madagascar was attached to the African mainland as part of the super continent Gondwanaland (formed of Africa, South America, Australia, Antarctica, India, and Madagascar). As Gondwanaland broke apart, Madgascar moved away from Africa. The first lemur-like primates on the fossil record appeared roughly 60 million years ago in mainland Africa and crossed over to Madagascar shortly thereafter. The island continued to drift eastward and by the time monkeys appeared on the scene 17-23 million years ago, Madagascar was isolated from their arrival. As highly intelligent and adaptive primates, monkeys quickly drove the lemur lineage elsewhere in the world toward extinction (a few Strepsirhines—including bushbabies, lorises, and pottos—managed to hang on by retaining their nocturnal, solitary, and insectivorous traits). Madagascar's lemurs—isolated from evolutionary changes of the world—radiated into the large island's many niches without much competition or predation.

Today lemurs are found in virtually all of Madagascar's ecosystems and share some of the social and behavioral characteristics of monkeys (i.e., forming social groups, eating fruit and vegetation, and being active during the day). Upper primates did not reach Madagascar until about they learned to navigate the high seas and arrived on boats roughly 2,000 years ago. Humans quickly went to work on the island's lemurs, reducing the number of species found in Madagascar by at least 15. The largest species suffered the most and today the largest remaining lemur is the Indri which would have been dwarfed by the gorilla-sized species once found on the island. Currently all lemurs are endangered species, due mainly to habitat destruction (deforestation) and hunting . Lemurs today Today Madagascar is home to nearly 60 "taxa" of lemurs (species, sub-species, and populations from 33 species across five families and 14 genera) ranging in size from the 25-gram pygmy mouse lemur to the indri.

All these species are endemic to Madagascar (two lemur species were introduced to the Comoros) giving the country the second highest number of primate species after Brazil, which has 77 species (only two endemic genera and no endemic families). And new species are still being discovered— primate researchers speculate that 10-20 new species of lemurs may be described over the next generation. Global importance of Madagascar's lemurs According to Russell Mittermeier in The Eighth Continent , although Madagascar "is only one of 92 countries with wild primate populations, it is alone responsible for 21 percent (14 of 65) of all primate genera and 36 percent (five of 14) of all primate families, making it the single highest priority" for primate conservation. "Madagascar is so important for primates that primatologists divide the world into four major regions: the whole of South and Central America, all of southern and southeast Asia, mainland Africa, and Madagascar, which ranks as a full-fledged region all by itself." Behavior Non-scientists generally group lemurs by their primary time of activity: day or night.

Noctural lemurs are typically smaller and more reclusive than their diurnal counterparts. 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, which has been likened to a cross between a police siren and the song of a humpback whale. Lemur species counts for selected parks: Protected Area conservation is saving lemurs and helping people in Madagascar (5/7/2007) Madagascar, an island nation that lies off the coast of southeastern Africa, has long been famous for its unique and diverse species of wildlife, especially lemurs--primates found nowhere else on the planet. In recent years, the island country has also become world-renowned for conservation efforts that are succeeding in spite of extraordinary pressures from a poor population that relies heavily on forest burning for basic subsistence. A large part of this success is due to the early efforts of Patricia Wright, a primatologist who has been working in the country for more than 20 years.

Wright led the effort to launch the country's leading protected area and helped Madagascar become a leading global example of conservation despite its economic adversity. Lemurs at risk due to invasion of feral beasts, global warming (2/7/2007) The lemurs of Madagascar are among the world's most threatened primates. Extensive habitat destruction, hunting, and the introduction of alien species have doomed dozens of species to extinction since humans first arrived on the island within the past 2000 years. Most of the casualties were Madagascar's largest lemurs -- today the biggest lemur is but a fraction of the gorilla-sized giants that once ruled the island. Despite this relative impoverishment of megafauna, Madagascar still boasts nearly 90 kinds of lemurs, all of which are unique to the island (save one species that was probably introduced to some nearby islands). Lemurs display a range of unusual behvaiors from singing like a whale (the indri) to sashaying across the sand like a ballet dancer (the sifaka). Interest in lemurs has helped Madagascar become a global conservation priority, though they are still at risk.

Continued deforestation, scattered hunting, and looming climate change all pose significant threats to some lemur populations. One largely unexamined threat comes from introduced species such as the Indian civet and mongoose, but especially dogs and cats that have become feral. In search of wildlife, while dodging leeches, in Madagascar's unexplored rainforest (2/5/2007) It is called a rainforest for a reason--because it rains.... and rains. As my field partner, Angelin Razafimanantsoa, and I make our way down muddy mountainsides in the endless downpour, we stop only long enough to pick squirming, bloodthirsty leeches off each other's face. Hours pass as we wade through knee-deep streams rushing over smooth, slippery rocks and thick forest stands. Seven hours ago, we anticipated arriving at our next base camp in three hours' time. Now, as night is falling, it seems we have at least five hours more to go. Lemurs communicate by scent (1/29/2007) Ringtailed lemurs can recognize each other by scent according to a study published in the current issue of the journal Animal Behaviour.

The research, conducted by Elizabeth S. Scordato and Christine M. Drea of Duke University, looked at olfactory communication in the ringtailed lemur, a charismatic primate that forms complex social groups led by a dominant female, so see what information is contained within the scent marks of the species. 3 new lemur species identified in Madagascar (11/27/2006) Genetic analysis has revealed three previously unknown species of lemurs on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar. The newly described lemurs are all mouse lemurs, one of the world's smallest primates. These lively lemurs are found in virtually all of Madagascar's forests where they feed on insects, fruit, and plant sap. Nocturnal, mouse lemurs betray their presence with high-pitched chirps. Lemur conservation in Madagascar requires poverty alleviation initiatives (11/5/2006) Madagascar, an island larger than France that lies off the southeastern coast of Africa, is perhaps best known for its lemurs--primates that look something like a cat crossed with a squirrel and a dog. Lemurs, which are found naturally only in Madagascar, serve as a charismatic representation of the island's biodiversity and its problems.

Since the arrival of humans some 2000 years ago from southeast Asia, Madagascar has lost all of its mega fauna and more than 90 percent of its wildlands. Today forest clearing for agriculture and hunting continues to put lemurs and other endemic species at risk. The good news is that because of Madagascar's biodiversity, the island has become a top priority for global conservation. At the forefront of these efforts is the Madagascar Fauna Group (MFG), an international consortium of zoos and related organizations that work to protect Madagascar's wildlife and ecosystems, and the Duke University Lemur Center, the one of the world's leading lemur research facilities. Charlie Welch, currently a research scientist at the Duke University Lemur Center, recently answered some questions on his experiences in lemur conservation. Welch, along with his wife Andrea Katz, has worked in Madagascar for 17 years and helped transform conservation efforts in the country. Climate Change Threatens Lemurs (9/18/2006) Tropical rainforests are among the most stable environments on Earth, but they are still no match for global climate change. Dr.

Patricia Wright, the widely admired primatologist and Professor of Anthropology at Stony Brook University, finds that climate change could mean the difference between survival and extinction for endangered lemurs. Orangutans and chimps are smarter than monkeys and lemurs (8/1/2006) The great apes are the smartest of all nonhuman primates according to scientists at Duke University Medical Center. The researchers found that orangutans and chimpanzees consistently outperformed monkeys and lemurs on a variety of intelligence tests, conclusively proving that apes are more intelligent than monkeys and prosimians. Rare indri lemur born in forest reserve in Madagascar (7/13/2006) A rare lemur known for its haunting whale-like call has given birth in a reserve outside its native forest. The news is significant because the Indri, as the world's largest living lemur is known, has traditionally done poorly when kept in captivity or introduced to outside its montane forest in Madagascar. The birth occurred at Palmarium, a small private reserve of lowland tropical forest established by a tour operator in Madagascar, and provides further hope for the successful conservation of the endangered species.

Why does Madagascar have so many unique animals? (5/24/2006) Scientists have developed the first comprehensive theory to explain Madagascar's rich biodiversity. Madagascar, larger than California and about size the size of Texas or France, is the world's fourth largest island. Isolated in the Indian Ocean off the coast of southern Africa, about 70% of the estimated 250,000 species found on the island exist nowhere else on the globe. The island is home to such evolutionary oddities as lemurs, a group of primates endemic to the island; brilliantly colored lizards including geckos and chameleons; tenrecs, spiny hedgehog-like creatures; and the fossa, a carnivorous animal that looks like a cross between a puma and a dog but is closely related to the mongoose. Madagascar establishes new park system to protect lemurs, benefit people (1/17/2006) Madagascar has created a new agency for managing the parks of the Indian Ocean island nation. The System of Protected Areas of Madagascar, or SAPM, simplifies the legal process used to create a protected areas, while providing for flexibility for local people to earn a living from conservation activities.

Lemur hunting persists in Madagascar, rare primates fall victim to hunger (7/17/2005) While it has been illegal to kill or keep lemurs as pets since 1964, lemurs are hunted where they are not protected by local taboos. Many lemurs are particularly easy targets for hunting because evolution has rendered them ecologically naive in that without natural predators over the majority of their existence, they are less fearful than they should be. Madagascar lemurs descended from single primate ancestor, finds study (7/11/2005) Yale biologists have managed to extract and analyze DNA from giant, extinct lemurs, according to a Yale study published in a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Evolutionary analysis of the DNA obtained from the extinct giants reveals that they, like the living lemurs, are descended from a single primate ancestor that colonized Madagascar more than 60 million years ago. Dancing lemur attracts tourists to island of Madagascar (5/30/2005) In the dry deciduous forests of south western Madagascar there lives a lemur that loudly cusses but "dances" like a ballet performer.

Verreaux's sifaka is among the most popular of lemur species, a group of primates endemic to islands off the southeastern coast of Africa. While threatened, Verreaux's sifaka is easily spotted is several of Madagascar's more accessible parks. Rainforest Canopy - Primates (3/1/2005) Primates are characteristic of every continental rainforest realm, except for the Australasian realm, and are made up of nearly 200 living species in more than 50 genera. Primates are thought to have originated from their insectivore-like ancestors between 100 million and 65 million years ago. The ancient primates most resembled lemurs and the tarsier of today, and upper primates did not appear until 37 to 23 million years ago. Upper primates include monkeys, apes, chimps, and humans, and the non-human species are generally divided into Old World monkeys and New World monkeys. Lemur links Duke University's Lemur taxa - includes extinct lemur species Find a mistake? Want to submit pictures or content? Contact WildMadagascar.org Why do lemurs live only in Madagascar?

| HowStuffWorks Why do lemurs live only in Madagascar? Keren Su/ Getty Images ­The island of Madagascar , a country located about 250 miles (402 kilometers) off the coast of southeast Africa , is one of the ­most geograph­ically diverse places on the planet. Its terrain varies from beautiful coastal beaches and stretches of serene grassland to raging rivers winding through mountainous regions and dry expanses ­of desert. The island has a tropical climate with a rainy season lasting from December to April and a dry season lasting from May to November. Many distinct animal and plant species call this tropical paradise home. In fact, Madagascar is also home to some of the most unique and endangered plants and animals in the world. The lemur is one of these creatures. Lemurs are primates, a group that includes monkeys , apes and humans. They're nocturnal, insectivorous creatures (meaning they feed on insects ) with small bodies, long noses and large eyes. Eighty-eight species of lemurs exist today, all of which are native to Madagascar [source: Smithsonian National Zoo ]. In fact, the reason lemurs have been able to thrive in Madagascar is because no other primates inhabit the island.

But how exactly are lemurs different from other primates? Primate Pals Primate Quiz Basically, primates can be broken down into two suborders: anthropoids and prosimians. Monkeys, apes and humans are anthropoids; lemurs are prosimians. Like other primates, prosimians rely on their moist noises and strong senses of smell to find food and identify individuals in their social group. They also groom themselves and others in their group. But while anthropoids use their fingers to groom, lemurs use their teeth as a comb. Anthropoids are omniv­ores -- they usually don't actively hunt and rely mostly on vegetation and insects as food sources. Prosimians like lemurs are insectivorous and herbivorous creatures. Also, prosimian society is female-dominated. In this girl-power-driven suborder, females get the best food, defend the group and choose their own mates. Prosimians evolved before anthropoids. The first prosimian fossil dates back 55 million years ago. The first monkey fossil dates back 45 million years ago, and the first ape, 35 million years ago.

Before the anthropoids entered the scene, prosimians were pretty prevalent; fossils have been found all around the world, including in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. But when the larger, more dominant, adaptive and intelligent anthropoids came into the picture, prosimians like lemurs were out-hunted. In the race against other primates for food, they lost. And, they began to die out all over the world. They disappeared from almost everywhere -- everywhere except Madagascar. 1 Madagascar’s Lemurs: Thriving in Theaters, Disappearing in the Wild | Human Nature - Conservation International Blog Madagascar’s Lemurs: Thriving in Theaters, Disappearing in the Wild July 16, 2012 Red-ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) (© CI/Photo by Russell A. Mittermeier) Most of the world knows about Madagascar from the three DreamWorks films , the latest of which is setting records at the box office as we speak. But the real Madagascar, which I know from more than 80 visits over the course of the last 28 years, is a very different place.

In fact, it is even more special than its portrayal by DreamWorks, but it is also under the gun — really at risk of becoming like Haiti, a country with almost zero natural wealth left to support its people. The real island of Madagascar is located nearly 400 kilometers (250 miles) off the east coast of Africa and is in many ways the highest priority biodiversity hotspot on Earth. Covering 600,000 square kilometers (nearly 231,000 square miles — roughly the size of Texas or France), it is the fourth-largest island in the world. It is the largest oceanic island, which means that unlike a continental island, it has been separated from the rest of the world for a very long time. Its separation from the African mainland took place 160 million years ago and from India about 90 million years ago, meaning that most of the plant and animal species found on Madagascar evolved in long isolation and are found nowhere else. Because of its geographic location in the tropics and subtropics and its unusual geological history and topography, it has very high levels of species diversity and extremely high endemism (species found nowhere else on the planet).

For example, it has about 15,000 to 16,000 plant species, 80 percent of which are endemic, a number comparable to all of North America north of Mexico — an area more than 30 times larger. It has more orchids than all of mainland Africa. Its reptile diversity is also comparable to that of North America north of Mexico, and its amphibian diversity, already very high, is likely to at least double in the next few years with the continuing discovery of species new to science. Check out the video below, which shows how entertaining lemurs can be. Sadly, Madagascar is also one of the world’s most heavily impacted countries in terms of recent habitat destruction, and its globally unique species are sending us an urgent warning. Nearly 90 percent of its natural vegetation has already been lost, and erosion on the island is severe. What is more, it has faced considerable political instability since a coup in March 2009, and the current government is not recognized by any other country, with most international aid donors having withdrawn their support for the environment and most other activities. This withdrawal includes USAID, which is now giving only humanitarian assistance.

Following the 2009 coup, there was a serious enforcement breakdown as two key protected areas in northern Madagascar — UNESCO World Heritage sites Masoala and Marojejy National Parks — were invaded for extraction of valuable timbers, especially rosewood. Indri lemur (Indri indri) (© CI/Photo by Russell A. Mittermeier) In addition to political problems continuing to grow during the past three years, a recent upsurge in bushmeat hunting has impacted lemurs, tortoises and other species. Among the lemurs being indiscriminately killed is the indri (Indri indri), the largest of the living lemurs. This spectacular species leaps from tree to tree like an arboreal kangaroo and looks like a cross between a teddy bear and a giant panda. Indeed, like the giant panda, it is a flagship species of incalculable value for Madagascar and must be fully protected. Given this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission decided to carry out a reassessment of Madagascar’s lemur fauna.

To do this, the Primate Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission, which I chair, and the Bristol Zoo in the U.K., convened a special workshop in Antananarivo, Madagascar, July 9-12, bringing together some 60 experts from Madagascar, the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, France and the U.K. We reviewed every species of lemur and came up with a new assessment that many of us found shocking and grim: By the end of the meeting, we were forced to “uplist” (i.e., give a higher conservation status) to nearly every species of lemur. Only two species were classified as Near Threatened, three as Least Concern and four as Data Deficient. See for yourself: Here are the new numbers and a 2005 Global Mammal Assessment carried out by the IUCN/Species Survival Commission and Conservation International. This increase represents an amazing 91 percent — or 94 out of 103 — of all known species falling into the three threatened categories, a dramatic increase and the highest percentage ever for a large group of mammals.

Among the most spectacular species recognized as Critically Endangered is the above-mentioned indri ; the greater bamboo lemur, a bamboo specialist that is the world’s most endangered primate genus; Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur, at 30 grams the world’s smallest primate; and the blue-eyed black lemur, one of only two primates other than humans that has blue eyes. The most endangered of all is the northern sportive lemur from extreme northern Madagascar, which is down to only 18 individuals left in the wild (with none in captivity), in the whole world. This new assessment highlights the very high extinction risk faced by Madagascar’s unique lemur fauna, and it is indicative of the grave threats to Madagascar’s biodiversity as a whole. Madagascar’s unique and wonderful species are its greatest asset, its most distinctive brand, and the basis for a major tourism industry that continues to grow despite current political problems. Science and experience both tell us that in order to maintain Madagascar’s lemur fauna and its biodiversity in general, it is essential to have a well-managed, representative network of parks and reserves. But these reserves are important not just for Madagascar’s biodiversity; they are essential for the long-term well-being of its people.

The vast majority of the ecosystem services benefiting Madagascar’s human population derive from these protected areas. These services include water from forested watersheds, pollination, maintenance of productive soils, fibers, building materials, plant foods from the forest and carbon sequestration. Of particular note, these ecosystems and the biodiversity within them provide many sources of jobs and livelihoods, especially in terms of ecotourism and associated activities. Madagascar has only begun to scratch the surface of its enormous tourist potential, counting only about 250,000 visitors per year, compared to tiny nearby Mauritius which attracts more than a million international visitors a year. A male blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur flavifrons) (© CI/Photo by Russell A. Mittermeier) More than 20 percent of all primate species on Earth live in Madagascar in an area that is well under 1 percent of the total global land area occupied by primates. Its primate diversity is exceeded only by Brazil, a country more than 15 times larger. Madagascar’s species are 100 percent endemic, making the country’s lemurs, without doubt, the highest priority for primate conservation on Earth.

Even more remarkable is that, in light of the serious degradation that has been taking place, we still continue to discover species new to science, with more than 40 new species described since 2000. In fact, at the workshop last week, a new species of lemur — the 103rd taxon of lemur known to man — was announced to the group of specialists by scientists from the German Primate Center in Goettingen, Germany. It is clear — Madagascar still has many natural treasures we have yet to discover. Indeed, on the heels of Rio+20 , where I joined Conservation International’s delegation to highlight the importance of green economies as a new model for sustainable development that recognizes natural capital (biodiversity, ecosystem services) as central to successful long-term economic development, it is essential to look at lemurs not just as cute, wonderfully appealing creatures worthy of preservation in their own right or unique objects of scientific investigation — which of course they are. But they should also be seen as engines of economic development, as a global brand and a true competitive advantage for Madagascar in the global arena. They should be seen as a powerful engine for job creation and poverty alleviation in one of the poorest countries in the world.

Fortunately, the models for this are already in place. Madagascar has some of the best village-based guide associations in the world. Many of these local communities have taken on the task of creating community reserves of their own to complement those run by the government. But to make this happen, the country needs a functional, democratically-elected government, which it had before the coup. It also needs to ensure that the lemurs and its other wonderful species and critically important ecosystems do not disappear. The lemurs offer us an important warning about the vital natural wealth we are squandering to the detriment of our well-being and that of future generations. Will we listen to these amazing animals after the movie credits end? I sincerely hope so. Russell Mittermeier Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lemurs Are lemurs threatened or are they endangered? Why? There are different levels of threat to the survival of various lemur species and subspecies. Some lemurs, such as the Red-ruffed Lemur and some types of bamboo lemurs, are considered "Critically Endangered," with only a few remaining in the wild and a drastically reduced range of habitat.

A step down is the list of "Endangered" lemurs, which includes the Hairy-eared Dwarf Lemur, the Golden Brown Mouse Lemur, and the Black and White Ruffed Lemur. These lemurs are not as close to the brink of extinction as those on the critical list but still face a good possibility of vanishing in the near future. "Vulnerable" species are facing a risk of extinction in the mid-term future, but not as soon as those on the endangered and critically endangered lists. The Black Lemur, Crowned Lemur, and a number of Fork-marked Lemurs are all on the vulnerable list. The group with the best chance of survival is considered "Lower Risk," and includes the Avahi, the Lesser Bamboo Lemur, and a number of Sportive lemurs. Visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for more information about specific species and the criteria for each category. Reasons for the threat to the survival of lemurs in their native home of Madagascar include large-scale deforestation for the purposes of agriculture and timber production, hunting of lemurs for food, and even fear of mysterious creatures like the Aye-aye.

Madagascar is not a wealthy country, and conservation is not the first thing on someone's mind when he needs to put food on the table. What is being done to help ensure their survival? There are parts of the Madagascar rainforest which have been set aside as protected areas for the large number of unique plants and animals that call it home, and there are movements to expand those protected lands. In addition, the Malagasy people are being educated about why it's necessary to ensure the survival not only of the lemurs of Madagascar, but of all its remaining indigenous life forms. In an effort to bring money into the country while also preserving the environment, rather than gaining cash by the destruction of its natural resouces as has been done in the past, ecotourism has become a new source of profit. With ecotourism, everyone wins. Money is brought into the country and visitors get the chance of a lifetime — to see this beautiful and diverse part of the world. How can I help? You might consider "adopting" a lemur at the Duke Lemur Center.

A tax-deductible donation of $50 a year will help care for a Loris, Lesser Bushbaby or Bamboo Lemur, and $500 a year can help the unusual and noctural Aye-Aye. Other amounts from $100 - $300 can go toward the care of other types of lemurs. Duke also has an online gift shop with lots of lemur-related items. More organizations dedicated to research and/or conservation can be found here under Resources. You can make a tax-deductible donation to most, or if you'd rather put in some sweat equity, check local facilities or zoos for volunteer opportunities. If you're up for an adventure, ask your travel agent to check into Madagascar ecotourism. It's a long trip but will show you a whole new world, as well as promote rainforest conservation. Where can I see lemurs in the United States? The Duke Lemur Center offers tours most days of the week by appointment. If you're planning on being in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina, give them a call. A number of zoos around the country also have lemurs, so check with your local zoo to see who lives there.

Can I have a lemur as a pet? In a word, no. Lemurs are wild animals, not pets. Although they're cute and furry, you're much better off with a cat. Not only do you not need the responsibility of taking care of an animal which may be on the Endangered list — if you could find one, which would be a tough task in the first place — but lemur behavior does not make for an ideal pet. Between scent-marking their territory, being very inquisitive (don't get too attached to those knick-knacks Grandma gave you), and not being housetrainable, the best place for lemurs is in the wild. The next-best place for lemurs is in a facility where trained professionals are working to take care of them and make sure the species live to see another millennium. The worst place... is your living room. Madagascar -- A World Apart: Creature Features What's a Lemur? By Dr. Kenneth Glander Ask the person next to you what a lemur is and he or she may not even know it's an animal. Someone more acquainted with the tree-hopping, furry creatures might guess they're related to squirrels or cats.

But the truth is, lemurs are more closely related to you and me. Lemurs are primates, an order that includes monkeys, apes and humans. There are approximately 32 different types of lemurs in existence today, all of which are endemic to Madagascar; a single island country off the southeast coast of Africa. In order to understand the differences between lemurs and other primates, it helps to go down a level. Primates can be broken into two suborders: anthropoids and prosimians. Monkeys, apes and humans are anthropoids. Lemurs are prosimians. Other prosimians include galgoes (bushbabies) found in Africa, lorises found in Asia, and tarsiers found in Borneo and the Philippines. Unlike all other primates, prosimians have moist noses and rely on their sense of smell to determine what is safe to eat and to distinguish between individuals in their social groups. Like other primates, prosimians groom themselves and their acquaintances, but because prosimians can't use their fingers in the same way, they use their teeth as a comb. In prosimian species, females play the dominant role.

They get the best food choices in the wild, defend the group and choose with whom they mate. Prosimians are those primates that evolved before the anthropoids. The first prosimian appears in the fossil record about 55 million years ago, the first monkey about 45 million years ago, and the first ape about 35 million years ago. Before the appearance of anthropoids, prosimians were quite prevalent. Their fossils have been discovered in all corners of the world, including Europe, Asia, Egypt and even in the northwestern United States. While Madagascar broke away from Africa more than 120 million years ago, it's puzzling to scientists that lemurs evolved only 55 million years ago. One of the theories of how lemurs got to Madagascar is that they rafted there on clumps of vegetation. Once monkeys and apes appeared, day-time active prosimians were out-competed and disappeared. Only night-time active prosimians occur outside of Madagascar because there are no nocturnal monkeys or apes in those regions (except for the night monkey in South America).

Since humans arrived on the island of Madagascar, approximately 1,200 to 1,500 years ago, 16 species of lemurs have become extinct, most likely due to habitat destruction and hunting by humans. The largest of the extinct lemurs was known as Archaeoindris and was about the size of a male gorilla. Some of these extinct lemurs were ground dwelling while others lived in the trees and moved very much like sloths. Generally, those species now extinct were among the largest and most slow moving of all lemurs. In 1987, World Wildlife International declared that the lemurs are the most gravely endangered group of primates in the world. Since 1991, Dr. Kenneth E. Glander has been the Director of the Duke University Primate Center in North Carolina. Duke's Primate Center is the world's leading facility dedicated to prosimian primates.

Black & White Ruffed Lemur | Duke Lemur Center Black & White Ruffed Lemur Varecia variegata variegata Populations of wild ruffed lemurs are critically endangered in Madagascar, and yet the animals thrive in captivity, making this species an ideal candidate for re-introduction to the wild, assuming protected habitat is available. In fact, the first re-introduction of lemurs into protected habitat in Madagascar occurred in October, 1997 when five captive born ruffed lemurs were released into the Betampona Nature Reserve in eastern Madagascar. These lemurs had been born, and had lived their entire lives, in the Natural Habitat Enclosures of the DLC. Since then, two more groups of captive born lemurs have been reintroduced into the Reserve, one in November, 1998, and the next in January of 2001. The latter two groups also received “boot camp” training in the DLC forested enclosures before departure to Madagascar. Feeding For more information on feeding behavior, or any aspect of behavior, of the black and white ruffed lemur, please consult the information listed under red ruffed lemurs .

There is little difference in the ecology or behavior between the two species of Varecia. The distribution of black and white ruffed lemurs at three sites at Ranomafana National Park in southeastern Madagascar is consistent with the hypothesis that this specialized frugivore is the most susceptible of the 12 sympatric lemur species found here to habitat disruption brought about by selective logging. Varecia is most abundant at the least disturbed sites and absent from the most intensively logged sites. Apparently, Varecia select large food trees of species that are preferentially logged. The current distribution of lemurs in Madagascar is highly affected by habitat destruction. It may be possible to use Varecia as an indicator to assess the degree of habitat disruption in a given area. Reproduction Ruffed lemur reproduction is highly seasonal. The animals breed in Madagascar between May and July. Most infants are born, after a 102 day gestation, in September and October. In North Carolina, breeding usually occurs in December or January with births in April or May.

Ruffed lemur females give birth to litters of up to six infants (two or three is more typical) in well-concealed, well-constructed nests 10 to 20 meters up a tree. Varecia are the only diurnal primates in the world to keep their infants in a nest. Females can nurse up to six infants simultaneously. Infant ruffs are not as well developed at birth as other species, which is not surprising given the brief gestation period. At birth, infants are not capable of grasping the mother, so if she needs to transport them, she must pick them up and move them one at a time in her mouth. The mother generally moves her infants away from the nest after a week or two, at which point she leaves them parked in a tree while she forages nearby. Infants develop rapidly, and by three or four weeks they can attempt to follow their mother on their own. Not surprisingly, infant mortality appears to be very high for this species, with 65% of infants failing to make three months of age, due to accidental falls and related injuries. Social Behavior There have been a limited number of studies of ruffed lemurs in the wild.

Group size seems to vary greatly – – there have been reports of groups consisting of a monogamous pair and their offspring as well as reports of much larger groups of 8-16 individuals, containing adult animals of each sex. Whatever the size of a group, all members use a common home range and aggression is seen between neighboring groups. Females form the core of the group and defend its territory. The weakest social bonds appear to be between males. A synopsis of behavioral studies in the wild indicates an apparent preference by ruffed lemurs to utilize large trees for their activities. Rigamonti (1993) found red ruffed lemurs rested, slept and fed in trees with an average DBH of 59.8 cm; Morland (1991) found that the black and white ruffed lemurs in her study site usually spent the night in large trees of two species with an average DBH of 61.5 and 118.1 cm and showed a slight tendency to feed in larger trees during the warm season when fruit was more plentiful.

Balko’s preliminary work in three study sites at Ranamafana National Park showed V.v.variegata were more abundant in the site that had a higher density of large fruiting trees. Ruffed lemurs also appear to prefer the upper half to upper third of the forest canopy. Morland reports that the upper canopy height in Nosy Mangabe forests averages 25 to 30m and the ruffed lemurs spent the greatest percent of their time mid-canopy. In Betampona, the upper canopy rarely exceeded 35m and the ruffed lemurs spent the majority of their time at a height between 15 to 35 m. White (1991) found that the ruffed lemur pair she observed rested, foraged, and traveled most frequently in the upper canopy at 20-25m. Ruffed lemurs showed the same preference for large trees when selecting nest sites. Habitat & Conservation The distribution of the black and white ruffed lemur is poorly known, especially in its northern limits. This lemur is distributed in low concentrations throughout the remnants of Madagascar’s eastern rainforest, from the Antainambalana River southward to the Mananara River.

There is an introduced population on the island of Nosy Mangabe in the Bay of Antongil. Although found in ten protected areas, black and white ruffed lemurs are thought to occur in low densities in all but the Nosy Mangabe Special Reserve. The animals are very patchily distributed, and are gravely endangered due to deforestation and hunting by the local people who regard them as a great delicacy.There are numerous color variations in the black and white population throughout their range, with populations in the north tending to be darker than the whiter forms of the south. As many as four distinct color varieties have been recognized. Because so much of the animals’ habitat has been degraded, however, the original geographical distribution of the different color forms and its significance will never be fully understood. However, recent studies by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the American Museum of Natural History show no appreciable genetic differences among the different color variants of the black and white ruffed lemurs. This was important information in regard to planning for the reintroduction of captive born ruffed lemurs to the Betampona Reserve, eliminating the possibility that a different subspecies might inadvertently be introduced to the wild population.

Due to the great breeding success of captive ruffed lemurs, captive population size is currently too large and is descended from too few founders. The SSP coordinator determined years ago that captive breeding needed to be more carefully controlled, and that individual ruffed lemurs which were genetically overrepresented needed to be contracepted and fresh founder stock had to be imported from Madagascar. Hence, eight wild born, unrelated black and white ruffs, Varecia variegata variegata were imported into the United States in 1996 from a confiscated population in Madagascar which had been held at Zoo Ivoloina. After quarantine at the St. Louis Zoo, breeding pairs were sent out to various zoos across the country (Atlanta, Tulsa, Philadelphia). The DLC now houses 9 males and 4 females with two breeding groups. Mouse Lemurs, Mouse Lemur Pictures, Mouse Lemur Facts - National Geographic Size relative to a tea cup Please add a "relative" entry to your dictionary. The Latin word lemures means "ghost." Malagasy people have traditionally associated these primates with spirits because they are active at night, and perhaps because of their eerie, large-eyed stare.

There are eight species of mouse lemurs, and several have been identified only in the past few years. This is a rarity in primate research, and illustrates just how much remains to be known about these fascinating animals. Like all lemurs, mouse lemurs inhabit the island of Madagascar off the east coast of Africa. The pygmy mouse lemur is the smallest primate in the world. Its head and body are less than two and a half inches (six centimeters) long, though its tail is a bit more than twice that length. These endangered nocturnal lemurs live in the dry forests of western Madagascar and rarely leave the forests' trees. Little is known of these rare primates. Mouse lemurs are forest dwellers that live in female-dominated groups of up to 15 animals. They spend most of their time in trees, and can move nimbly from branch to branch and tree to tree. Mouse lemurs sleep aloft during the day and forage at night for insects, fruit, flowers, and other plants. These adaptable primates store fat in their tails and hind legs, burning it when forage is lean. They may store up to 35 percent of their body weight.

Female lesser mouse lemurs enter a dormant state during Madagascar's dry season, from April or May to September or October. Females are inactive during this time and may not leave their tree holes. During the same season, however, males are more active. They may be establishing breeding hierarchies for the coming mating season. Mouse lemurs are protected from hunting, but they are still captured for the exotic pet trade. They are most threatened by loss of the limited woodland habitat of their Madagascar home.

Question: Lemurs in the wild are unique to which country?
Answer: MADAGASCAR