Golden bamboo lemur. golden lemur golden bamboo lemur
Genus: Hapalemur = Half-moons, meek lemurs, hapalemurs, half-lemurs
Species: Hapalemur aureus = Golden bamboo lemur
The golden bamboo lemur was discovered in 1987 in Madagascar, where it lives in small populations only in rainforests in the southeast of the island. Their distribution is very closely related to giant bamboo and bamboo grass. Most of them are found in Ranomafana National Park and Andringitra Nature Reserve. Golden bamboo lemurs may also be found in the forests near Vondrozo.
In size, the golden bamboo lemur is like a small domestic cat, and occupies an intermediate position between the two previously known representatives of the genus. The fur is soft, of moderate length, the muzzle is short, the head is rounded. The ears are short and densely covered with hair, but the hair does not grow in tufts. The skin coloration of the golden lemur is yellow on the ventral side, while the shorter coat on the dorsal side is grey-brown with a pale orange tint. The tail gradually darkens towards its tip. The face is dark, almost black, with golden hair on the eyebrows and cheeks, the nose is pale pink.
The hind limbs are shorter than the front ones. The body length of the golden bamboo lemur is about 28-45 cm, the tail is about 24-40 cm, body weight is 1.0-1.6 kg, on average about 1.2 kg. There is no pronounced sexual dimorphism. Although in females the coloration of the back is slightly more grayish than in males.
The golden bamboo lemur has a special brachial gland. The secret of this gland is described as a sticky substance of white color, with a strong specific aroma.
The front teeth are well developed and specialized for eating bamboo (dental formula - 2:1:3:3). The golden lemur eats young shoots and soft parts. 
stems and leaves, and previously known species are less legible, absorbing, in addition to bamboo, the fruits and foliage of many other plants. Therefore, although all three species of lemurs of the genus Hapalemur feed on bamboo, there is almost no rivalry between them.
The basis of the diet of the golden lemur is plants of the Gramineae family, primarily an endemic species - giant bamboo, Cephalostachium viguieri. When studying the diet of the golden lemur in Ranomafana National Park, its diet was found to consist of giant bamboo (78%), other herbaceous bamboo species (10%), non-bamboo foliage (3%), various fruits (4%), and other food (in particular, mushrooms - 5%).
On average, a lemur eats up to 500 g of bamboo per day. Chemical analysis has shown that the soft parts of the bamboo and growing shoots, which the golden lemur prefers and which other lemurs usually ignore, contain a very high percentage of proteins, as well as deadly cyanides. Surprisingly high levels of cyanide have been found in the shoots of the giant bamboo, the main nutrient of the golden bamboo lemur, as well as in the blood of this lemur itself. Levels of this toxin would kill most any other mammals, but this is apparently not the main threat to this lemur. A daily serving of the golden bamboo lemur contains nearly 12 times the lethal dose of cyanide for most animals.
This specialization of the bamboo lemur's diet is very unusual in the mammalian world. Only a handful of animals have adapted to feeding on bamboo, including the panda, other bamboo lemurs in Madagascar, and bamboo rats (including Rhizomys sinensis, R. pruinosus, and R. sumatrensis) found in China and parts of Southeast Asia.
The golden bamboo lemur is arboreal and nocturnal, being especially active at dawn and evening, and sometimes they feed on the ground. 
Lemurs are social animals, they gather in groups of 2-4 and up to 6 individuals. The Ranomafana group consisted of an adult couple, a calf and an adult juvenile.
The golden bamboo lemur, on average, occupies an area of about 80 hectares, and on average about 400 m per day in search of suitable food.
The golden bamboo lemur travels through the territory only through the trees, rarely touching the ground. On a horizontal surface, they have a quadrupedal (four-legged) gait. They are good climbers on vertical trunks and slanted branches and are excellent jumpers, both from a four-legged and vertical position.
Golden bamboo lemurs communicate with each other using optical visual cues, such as facial expressions and body postures and vocalizations.
A well-known vocal communication signal is "coooee": this call is used when individuals are separated from each other by a considerable distance. When issuing this call, the sender, the golden lemur, usually directs its gaze forward to see the communication partner.
During the night, all individuals of the golden lemur also emit the so-called big call. This call is described as a loud, precise, staccato, "guttural car horn". This call is also repeated at a slow, descending tempo, and sometimes it becomes shorter in duration. This call usually has a territorial function.
The area of the group territory is, depending on various factors, from 26 hectares to 80 hectares.
The mating season for the golden bamboo lemur is observed in July - August, and the birth of young usually occurs in November and December, the beginning of the rainy season.
Females leave their parental group and start breeding themselves at about 3 years of age.
The golden bamboo lemur has a "monogamous" social system. Females after a pregnancy lasting about 138 days give birth to one baby in a specially equipped secluded place in the crown of a tree. At birth, the weight of the baby is only about 32 g. Mothers stay with their baby most of the time, but leave him for the time of feeding, even if they leave the nest with the cub at a distance of 250 meters and further. In this case, the baby is left unattended up to 3-4 hours. When the baby grows up and reaches 10-14 days of age, the mother begins to carry him with her during feeding, moving from place to place.
Babies begin to explore their surroundings on their own, leaving their mother, as early as two weeks of age. At the age of 20 days old, they begin to chew various, not even edible objects, continuing to eat only milk. Females have one pair of nipples. Mothers wean their babies at 6 months of age, and from that time on, babies move around completely independently. Older children living with their parents also take part in the care of their younger relatives.
At first, the baby is carried by the female on the ventral side of the body, but later rides on her back. In general, most of the care for the young is provided by the mother, who cleans, protects and feeds her young.
The natural predators of these animals are not reliably known. However, their likely enemies are humans, as well as fossa and possibly other carnivorous predatory animals. There are no data on the lifespan of the golden lemur in nature, but it is likely that their maximum age can reach 15 years or more, like other representatives of the genus.
The golden bamboo lemur is one of the world's rarest mammals - their number hardly exceeds 200-400 individuals. The species is listed as an Application of the CONVENTION Sites. The golden bamboo lemur is of great interest to the scientific community, although it is threatened by the loss of their forest habitats due to deforestation and agricultural development. This lemur is also threatened by poaching of these lemurs, although local laws prohibit all hunting, killing and trapping of any lemurs.
Lemurs (lat. Lemuridae) is a family of semi-monkey mammals of the order of primates endemic to Madagascar.
In ancient Rome, the word "lemur" meant a ghost (or spirit). The name lemurs was given to this group of animals as they are mostly nocturnal. These animals range in size from a mouse to a small dog, with some fossil lemurs being the size of a large dog.
They live in tropical forests, climb well, run and jump on the branches of trees. They have grasping paws with well-developed strong fingers, with which they cling to branches or uneven bark.
They feed on fruits, berries, leaves, flowers, some also bark, insects, their larvae.
Most lemurs are active at night or at dusk, sleeping in hollows or nests during the day. They live in groups (4-10 individuals) and even herds (up to 60 individuals), in other pairs and singly. Pregnancy lasts 2-5 months. They give birth to 1-3 cubs.
Place in the classification:
Superclass Quadrupeds - Tetrapoda
Class Mammals - Mammalia
Detachment Primates - Primates
Suborder Wet-nosed monkeys - Strepsirhini
infraorder Lemur-like - Lemuriformes
Family Lemurs - Lemuridae)
Lemur classification:
Lemuridae family, lemurs, lemurs, lat. Lemuridae Grey, 1821
Genus: Hapalemur Geoffroy I., 1851 = Half-moons, meek lemurs, hapalemurs, half-lemurs
Species: Hapalemur alaotrensis Rumpler, 1975 = Gray bamboo lemur
Species: Hapalemur aureus Meier, Albignac, Peyrieras, Rumpler and Wright, 1987 = Golden bamboo lemur
Species: Hapalemur griseus Link, 1795 = Gray lemur (hapalemur)
Species: Hapalemur meridionalis Warter, Randrianasolo, Dutrillaux & Rumpler, 1987 = Southern bamboo lemur
Species: Hapalemur occidentalis Rumpler, 1975 = Lesser western bamboo lemur
Species: Hapalemur simus Gray, 1870 = Broad-nosed lemur
Genus: Lemur Linnaeus, 1758 = Poppies, (common) lemurs
Species: Lemur catta Linnaeus, 1758 = Catta, ring-tailed lemur
Genus: Eulemur (=Petterus) Simons & Rumpler, 1988 = Eulemurs
Species: Eulemur albifrons (=fulvus) E. Geoffroy, 1796 = Common brown lemur
Species: Eulemur cinereiceps A. Grandidier & Milne-Edwards, 1890 = Grey-headed lemur
Species: Eulemur collaris E. Geoffroy, 1812 = Red-collared lemur
Species: Eulemur coronatus Gray, 1842 = Crowned lemur
Species: Eulemur flavifrons Gray, 1867 =
Species: Eulemur macaco Linnaeus, 1766 = Black lemur, macaco lemur
Species: Eulemur mongoz Linnaeus, 1766 = Mongo, mongoz, mongoose lemur
Species: Eulemur rubriventer Geoffroy I., 1850 = Red-bellied lemur, Red-bellied lemur
Species: Eulemur rufifrons Bennett, 1833 =
Species: Eulemur rufus Audebert, 1799 = Red-breasted lemur
Species: Eulemur sanfordi Archbold, 1932 = Sanford black lemur
Genus: Varecia Gray, 1863 = (Lemurs) vari
Species: Varecia variegata Kerr, 1792 = (Lemur) vari
Species: Varecia rubra E. Geoffroy, 1812 = Red fluffy lemur
Genus Polumaki, meek lemurs, hapalemurs, semi-lemurs(lat. Hapalemur, Geoffroy I., 1851)
The sizes of semi-poppies are medium and large (the largest in the family). Body length is approximately 28-46 cm. The length of the tail is generally equal to the length of the body. The head is rounded.
The muzzle of meek lemurs is shortened. The low auricles are densely covered with hair. The limbs are relatively short, with wide hands and feet. Terminal phalanges of fingers with large pads. The coat is of medium length, soft. Its coloration is brownish-gray, reddish-gray, grayish-green or reddish-green on the dorsal side and whitish, dirty yellow, gray or yellowish on the ventral side. The head is darker.
Females have two pairs of nipples, with one located almost on the shoulders and the other on the belly. On the inside of the wrist, the gray lemur has a specific skin gland. All teeth except posterior teeth have sharp cutting edges. The diploid number of chromosomes in the gray lemur is 54-58.
Half-moks are inhabitants of forest areas, especially where there are thickets of bamboo. Most often they are kept in family groups, sometimes one by one. Night activity. They feed mainly on bamboo, but willingly eat insects, especially orthoptera. In females of the gray lemur in December-January, one cub is born in the nest. Pregnancy approximately 160 days. Lactation about 6 months. Half-Maks get along well in captivity, they are quickly tamed. In captivity, they lived up to 12 years.
Gray bamboo lemur(Latin Hapalemur alaotrensis, English Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur, Rumpler, 1975)
These are the smallest of the bamboo lemurs, weighing less than 900 g. The coat color is gray, with a reddish spot from the neck to the head. Active during the day.
Females live in groups, the family group consists of a couple and their offspring, only 3-6 individuals. Females are dominant in the family. They breed in a certain season, the gestation period is much shorter than that of related lemurs with the same body weight. Cubs are born weak, at an early stage of development. The mother leaves the cubs in a nest or hollow of a tree, occasionally transfers it.
Golden bamboo lemur(Latin Hapalemur aureus, English Golden bamboo lemur, Meier, Albignac, Peyrieras, Rumpler and Wright, 1987)
The golden bamboo lemur lives in forests with thickets of giant bamboo and bamboo grass. It feeds on plants of the Gramineae family, the giant bamboo Cephalostachium viguieri - leaves and young shoots, as well as bamboo grass, eating 500 g of bamboo per day.
A daily serving of the golden bamboo lemur contains enough cyanide to kill many animals 12 times.
A very rare species, the number of which hardly exceeds 200-400 individuals. It is found in Madagascar, where it lives in small populations in rainforests in the southeast of the island. This is the average of three species of bamboo lemurs, the size of a cat (about 800 mm), tail length half the length of the body, weight 1-1.6 kg. The fur is soft, of moderate length, the muzzle is short, the head is round, the ears are short and woolly. The face is black, the eyebrows, cheeks and chest are golden yellow. The belly, inner thighs and tail are yellow, the back and upper thighs are brown-gray. The male and female almost do not differ in color, although the back of females may be darker than males.
The golden bamboo lemur is nocturnal, especially active at dawn and in the evening. Lemurs gather in groups of 2-4 or 6 individuals. The group from Ranomafana Park consisted of an adult couple, a calf and an adult juvenile, covering an area of 80 ha.
gray lemur(Latin Hapalemur griseus, English Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur, Link, 1795)
Gray hapalemur - Hapalemur griseus alaotrensis - is found in the rainforests of eastern Madagascar. There are related subspecies: Eastern small bamboo lemur - Hapalemur griseus griseus; Western Lesser Bamboo Lemur - alemur griseus occidentalis; Bamboo lemur from Alaotra - Hapalemur griseus alaotrensis; Subspecies of Fort Dauphin - Hapalemur griseus meridionalis.
They live in tropical rainforests, in places where bamboo grows, and eat leaves that have a high content of cyanide.
southern bamboo lemur(Latin Hapalemur meridionalis, English Southern lesser bamboo lemur, Warter, Randrianasolo, Dutrillaux & Rumpler, 1987)
Found in humid forests in the south of Madagascar in the vicinity of the city of Tôlanaro in the town of Mandena.
The closest relative of the gray lemur, later separated into a separate species.
Lesser western bamboo lemur(Latin Hapalemur occidentalis, English Western lesser bamboo lemur or Northern Bamboo Lemur or Western Gentle Lemur, Rumpler, 1975)
Gray lemurs of this group are found in the rainforests of the eastern part of Madagascar.
They live in tropical rainforests, in places where bamboo grows, and eat leaves that have a high content of cyanide.
The total length is 55-67 centimeters, more than half of which is occupied by the tail. The average weight is just under 1 kg. Lives in several discontinuous areas in the north and west of Madagascar, including Ankarana and Analamerana in the north, Sambirano and the Ampasindava peninsula in the northwest, and various areas in the west between the Mahavany and Tsiribihina rivers.
broad-nosed lemur(Latin Hapalemur simus, English greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) or broad-nosed bamboo lemur or broad-nosed gentle lemur, Gray, 1870)
Broad-nosed hapalemur, or large bamboo lemur - Hapalemur simis - is the largest of the bamboo lemurs, one of the rare mammals.
It is found in the vicinity of Ranomafana and in the Andringitra National Park.
Body length 90 cm, weight 2.4 kg. Leads a nocturnal lifestyle. It lives in humid forests, where it feeds mainly on bamboo, as well as flowers, leaves and fruits.
Large bamboo lemurs live in groups of 4-12 individuals. Until 1972, for a hundred years, he had not met Western scientists. Until the mid 1980s. only one population was known in Ranomafana National Park, located in the southeastern part of Madagascar. Since the 1990s Several new populations have been noted. The abundance of Hapalemur simis is limited to the limit of bamboo growth.
Genus Maki or common lemurs(lat. Lemur, Linnaeus, 1758)
Catta, ring-tailed or ring-tailed lemur(Latin Lemur catta, English Ring-tailed lemur, Linnaeus, 1758)
Ring-tailed lemur, or ring-tailed lemur, or catta, is the most famous species from the lemur family. This species belongs to a separate genus, although many experts place it in the genera Eulemur or Hapalemur. The Madagascar name for ring-tailed lemur is maquis.
Ring-tailed lemurs are found in the south and southwest of the island of Madagascar in dry open spaces and in forests. They range from Fort Dauphine in the west and north to Monradov on the west coast. A small population of lemurs is found in the Andringitra mountains on the southeastern plateau.
These are slender animals, comparable in size to cats. The body length is from 38 to 45 cm, and the black and white striped tail is from 55 to 62 cm. On the back, the hair is gray, sometimes pinkish-brown, the limbs are gray, the head and neck are dark gray. The belly and the inside of the paws are white, the muzzle is white with dark triangular spots around the eyes and a black nose. There are 13 black and white stripes on the tail. The long tail serves ring-tailed lemurs for signals between relatives, as a diffuser of smells, and also for maintaining balance when climbing and jumping. The weight of ring-tailed lemurs can reach 3.5 kg, while the weight of the tail can be more than 1.5 kg.
Of all the lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs spend the most time on the ground, an adaptation to the partially arid environment. Ring-tailed lemurs are active at night and lead a very social lifestyle. They are found in groups of 20 to 30 individuals. Within the groups, a strict hierarchy reigns, the leaders are mainly females. They have the pre-emptive right in choosing food and a partner. While females usually stay in the groups they were born into, males repeatedly move to new groups. The family group covers an area of 15 to 57 acres. Males have sharp fingertips with which they scratch the bark of young trees; glands on the paws impregnate the bark with a pungent odor, marking the boundaries of the territory. Every day, lemurs walk around their territory in search of food. They show aggression towards strangers. Ring-tailed lemurs willingly sit in the sun and enjoy its warmth, spreading their arms to the sides.
Their food consists mainly of fruits, but their menu also includes leaves, flowers, herbaceous plants, cacti, and occasionally insects.
Ring-tailed lemurs give birth to one cub at a time, and occasionally twins are also found. Offspring are usually born between August and October, at the beginning of the rainy season. Females breed annually, the duration of pregnancy is approximately 222 days, and the weight of the cub at birth is from 80 to 120 g. The newborn grabs the mother's hair and hangs on it. In the first months, females carry their cubs on their stomach, later on their backs. At the age of 1-2 months, the cub begins to leave the back of the mother and makes independent sorties, returning to the mother during sleep and feeding. At the age of 5-6 months, the cubs become independent. After five months, they wean off milk. Ring-tailed lemurs have a lifespan of 34 to 37 years.
Compared to other lemurs, the ring-tailed lemur is relatively common. However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature also defines it as endangered, as its population is declining. Currently, the total number of ring-tailed lemurs is estimated at 10,000-100,000 individuals. The main threats include the destruction of living space and hunting, partly for commercial reasons.
The tail is great for allowing the ring-tailed lemur to keep its balance while sitting on a thin bough. It also plays an important role in balancing jumps. In social behavior, the striped tail of lemurs is of great importance. If the ring-tailed lemur walks on the ground, it holds its tail upright for better visibility. With the help of the tail, males conduct the so-called "stink fights". They lubricate the tail with secrets from the armpits and protrude it towards the opponent. Thus, disputes about ranks in the social hierarchy are resolved and the area is protected against foreign groups. Because of the tail, the animal received the English name "Ring-tailed lemur" (Russian ring-tailed lemur).
Genus Eulemurs or common lemurs(lat. Eulemur (=Petterus), Simons & Rumpler, 1988)
common brown lemur(Latin Eulemur albifrons (=fulvus), English Common brown lemur E. Geoffroy, 1796)
The Madagascan name is varika. It lives in southeastern Madagascar from the Mananara River near Vangaindrano, in the south to Fort Dauphine. According to other sources, it inhabits western Madagascar north of the Betsiboka River, as well as the islands of Mayotte and the Comoros.
This is a small animal the size of a cat, body and tail length of 50 cm, weight 2.6 kg. Males are brownish-gray in color with a dark stripe on the back, a dark tail with a bushy tip, the inside of the body - chest, belly and thighs - is lighter. Females have a reddish-brown coat and a gray muzzle. Both have a distinct beard, which is reddish brown in females and cream or reddish brown in males.
Brown lemurs live in permanent groups of 3-12 individuals, and there were also groups of 29 lemurs on the island of Mayotte. They occupy an area of 7-20 hectares. In the afternoon, during feeding, a large group breaks into several small ones, which gather together for the night. They inhabit wooded areas of mountain plateaus. They feed on fruits, young leaves and flowers.
The life expectancy of brown lemurs in nature is 20-25 years. Sexual maturity occurs at the age of 1-2 years. The mating season begins in June-July. Pregnancy 120 days. Cubs are born one per year, in the season from September to November. The cub clings to the mother's fur and for the first three weeks is inseparably with her, hanging on her chest. From the age of three weeks, he begins to take the first independent steps and tries the main food that his mother or other members of the group feed him. At the age of 5-6 months, he becomes completely independent.
or white-collared lemur(lat. Eulemur cinereiceps or, English. Gray-headed lemur or gray-headed brown lemur, A. Grandidier & Milne-Edwards, 1890)
Prior to a taxonomic revision in 2008, it was known as the white-collared lemur (Eulemur albocollaris).
Lives in the southeast of Madagascar in a limited area of about 700 km2 between the Manampatrana and Mananara rivers.
(lat. Eulemur collaris, eng. Collared brown lemur or red-collared brown lemur, E. Geoffroy, 1812)
Red-collared lemurs are predominantly diurnal forest dwellers. These animals are excellent climbers and can cross long distances jumping from tree to tree. The tail, which is not adapted for grasping, is used for balancing.
On the ground, these animals almost always move on all four limbs. They live in groups of 2 to 15 individuals. The gestation period is 125 days. During the summer or early autumn (shortly before the start of the rainy season), females give birth - usually two cubs. Babies cling tightly to the mother's fur, when they get older, they crawl onto her back. After about 5 months, breastfeeding stops, and at 18 months they are already adults.
Life expectancy is estimated at 18 years, in captivity it could be longer. Red-collared lemurs are almost exclusively herbivorous: they feed on flowers, fruits, leaves, but examples of feeding on insects are known in captivity.
(Latin Eulemur coronatus, English Crowned lemur, Gray, 1842)
The crowned lemur lives in dry and humid forests in the extreme north of Madagascar on the Cap d'Ambre peninsula and in the southwest to Ambilob. This is a small animal the size of a cat, body length 34 cm, tail 45 cm, weight 2 kg. Males and females have a characteristic crown-like V-shaped spot on the top of the head.Males are gray or dark brown with a dark tail, gray muzzle and black nose.Females are lighter in color, their coat is grayish, chest and belly are almost white.
They live in permanent groups of 5-15 individuals, usually 5-6 lemurs in an area of 14.4 hectares, which may be the common property of several groups of lemurs. The male leads the group, and not the female, like many lemurs, he has the right to be the first to choose food and a partner. Outside the group, the female leads. In the afternoon, during feeding, a large group breaks into several small ones, which gather together for the night. They feed on fruits, young leaves, and sometimes insects.
Sexual maturity occurs at the age of 20 months. The mating season is at the end of May - June. Pregnancy lasts 125 days. Cubs are born one a year (sometimes twins), in mid-September - early October. The cub clings to the mother's fur and for the first three weeks is inseparably with her, hanging on her chest. From 5 weeks of age, he begins to take the first independent steps and tries the main food that his mother or other members of the group feed him. At the age of 5-6 months, he becomes independent.
Life expectancy in nature is 20 years.
(Latin Eulemur flavifrons, English Blue-eyed black lemur, Gray, 1867)
Sclater's black lemur, or blue-eyed lemur, is a small animal about the size of a cat. They are found in the south of Sambirano in the northeast of Madagascar. Other populations are found south of the Andranomalaza River near Moromandia and south of the Sandrakota River near Befotak. This species of lemur inhabits dry western forests, coffee and citrus plantations, which are interspersed with wooded areas. Body length 41 cm, tail - 55 cm, weight 2.4 kg. In life and behavior, it resembles black lemurs, but differs from them in coat color: although males are completely black, females have a color from reddish-brown to gray. A distinctive feature of the species are blue eyes, which distinguishes them from other primates.
They live in groups of 2-15 individuals, on average 7-10. The family is dominated by females, who have an advantage in choosing food and a mating partner. Lemurs devote a lot of time to grooming, grooming, thus expressing loyalty and sympathy for other members of the group. The structure of the teeth of the lower jaw resembles a comb, with the help of which the coat is cared for.
Sexual maturity occurs at the age of 2 years. The mating season is from June to July. Pregnancy lasts 126 days, the only cub is born in September-November. The cub clings to the mother's fur and for the first three weeks is inseparably with her, hanging on her chest. From the age of three weeks, he begins to take the first independent steps and tries the main food that his mother or other members of the group feed him. At the age of 5-6 months, he becomes completely independent.
They feed on ripe fruits, leaves, flowers, and sometimes insects. Life expectancy is 20-25 years.
Black lemur, Macaco lemur(lat. Eulemur macaco, eng. Black lemur, Linnaeus, eng. 1766)
The common black lemur is found in the northwest of Madagascar, as well as on the islands of Nozi and Nozi Komba. This is a small animal, the size of a cat, body length 41 cm, tail - 55 mm. Weight 2.4 kg. Males are completely black; females have a brownish-gray back. The chest is whitish, the muzzle is black. Ears pubescent in black - in males, white - in females.
They live in family groups of 7-10 individuals, there were also groups of 2-15 animals living in the same territory. Females dominate the family. At night, several neighboring groups may gather together. They engage in grooming, expressing in this way loyalty and sympathy for other members of the group. The structure of the teeth of the lower jaw resembles a comb, with the help of which the coat is cared for.
Black lemurs live in forests of various types, they are found on plantations of coffee, cashew trees. They feed on ripe fruits, leaves, and sometimes insects.
Sexual maturity occurs at 2 years. Life expectancy is 20-25 years. The mating season is in June - July, pregnancy lasts 126 days, cubs (1 per year) are born in September-November. The cub clings to the mother's fur and for the first three weeks is inseparably with her, hanging on her chest. From the age of three weeks, he begins to take the first independent steps and tries the main food that his mother or other members of the group feed him. At the age of 5-6 months, he becomes completely independent.
Mongo, mongots, mongoose lemur(Latin Eulemur mongoz, English Mongoose lemur, Linnaeus, 1766)
Lemur mongots lives in arid forests in the northeast of Madagascar, on the islands of Mogeli and Anjoan and in the humid forests of the Comoros. This is a small lemur the size of a cat, body length with head 35 cm, tail 19 cm. Weight 2 kg. The color of the coat in females and males is different. The female has a gray head with a white beard, shoulders, limbs and fur on the head are black. Males are darker, their beard is reddish brown.
They feed on flowers, fruits and leaves.
They live in groups of 3-4 individuals, the family consists of an adult male and female, as well as their offspring. In the family, females dominate, choosing food and a partner. The territorial holdings of a family group are small and often shared with neighboring groups. The female gives birth to 1 cub in mid-October. He spends the first three weeks clinging to the fur on his mother's chest. At 5-6 months they try adult food and show signs of independence. Upon reaching puberty at 2.5-3.5 years, females and males leave the family. Violation of the territory is quite rare, while no particularly aggressive actions were observed; the confrontation was expressed in the exchange of loud screams, the demonstration of poses of threat and by marking the territory with smell and urine.
Red-bellied lemur, Red-bellied lemur(Latin Eulemur rubriventer, English Red-bellied lemur, Geoffroy I., 1850)
The red-bellied lemur lives in the upper and middle tiers of the rainforest in the forests on the east coast of Madagascar. This is a small lemur the size of a cat, body length with head 40 cm, tail 50 cm. Weight 2 kg. The color of the coat in females and males is dark brown chestnut, the tail is black. The female has a light-colored chest and a white or cream-colored belly. In males, the underparts are darker, reddish-brown. Males have a white rim under the eyes and a secretion gland on the top of their head.
Lemurs feed on flowers, fruits and leaves of 67 species of plants.
They live in groups of 2-5 individuals, the family consists of an adult male and female, as well as their offspring. In the family, females dominate, choosing food and a partner. The territorial holdings of a family group are small and often shared with neighboring groups. The mating season runs in May-June, pregnancy lasts 120 days, the female gives birth to 1 cub in September-October. The first weeks he spends clinging to the wool on his mother's chest, after two weeks he travels on her back until 5 weeks of age, then he moves onto his father's back, who nurses him until he reaches the age of 100 days. At 5-6 months they try adult food and show signs of independence. Upon reaching puberty at 2.5-3.5 years, females and males leave the family. Violation of the territory is quite rare, while no particularly aggressive actions were observed; the confrontation was expressed in the exchange of loud screams, the demonstration of poses of threat and by marking the territory with smell and urine.
Often engaged in grooming, for which a comb is used from the teeth of the lower jaw. The life span is 20-25 years.
(Latin Eulemur rufifrons, English red-fronted lemur or red-fronted brown lemur or southern red-fronted brown lemur, Bennett, 1833)
Until 2001, it was considered a subspecies of the common brown lemur. In 2001, the howl was separated into a separate species.
Lives on the west coast of Madagascar between the Tsiribihina river north and south of the Fiheranana river (Isalo reserve) and in the eastern part of Madagascar between the Mangoro and Onive rivers in the Andringitra mountain range (Kirindy reserve). Lives in dry forests in the lowlands.
Weight - from 2.2 to 2.3 kg. The head and body are 35 to 48 cm long and the tail is 40 to 55 cm long.
red-breasted lemur(Latin Eulemur rufus, English red lemur or rufous brown lemur or northern red-fronted lemur, Audebert, 1799)
The Madagascan name is varika. It is found in the west and east of Madagascar, there is a small population in the Berently Reserve (southern Madagascar).
This is a small animal the size of a cat, body length 40 cm, tail 55 cm, weight 2.7 kg. Males are gray or brownish-gray in color, females have reddish-brown coats, and both have light patches around the eyes. Males have a cap of red wool on top of their head.
They live in permanent groups of 4-18 individuals, usually 7-8 lemurs in a small area of 0.75-1 ha. The male leads the group, not the female, as in many lemurs. In the afternoon, during feeding, a large group breaks into several small ones, which gather together for the night.
Red-breasted lemurs feed on leaves, shoots, bark and flowers of the Tamarindus indica tree. Sexual maturity occurs at the age of 2 years. The mating season begins in June. Pregnancy 120 days. Cubs are born one per year, during the season from September to October. The cub clings to the mother's fur and for the first three weeks is inseparably with her, hanging on her chest. From the age of three weeks, he begins to take the first independent steps and tries the main food that his mother or other members of the group feed him. At the age of 4-5 months, he becomes independent.
Lemurs devote a lot of time to grooming, grooming, thus expressing loyalty and sympathy for other members of the group. The structure of the teeth of the lower jaw resembles a comb, with the help of which the coat is cared for.
Sanford black lemur(Latin Eulemur sanfordi, English Sanford's brown lemur, Archbold, 1932)
It lives in only one place in northern Madagascar: south of the Ampasiindava peninsula to the rivers Mahavavv in the west and Manambato in the east.
This is a small animal the size of a cat, body length 40 cm, tail 50 cm, weight 2.3 kg. Males and females of the same color - light or dark brown from the back, the inside of the body is colored lighter. Males have a whitish-red pubescence on the ears and a thick beard of the same color, which forms a kind of mane. The nose and the area around the nose and eyes are black, forming a "T" on the muzzle.
They live in permanent groups of 15 individuals, usually 3-9 lemurs in an area of 14.4 hectares, which may be the common property of several groups of lemurs. The male leads the group, not the female, as in many lemurs. In the afternoon, during feeding, a large group breaks into several small ones, which gather together for the night. Lemurs feed on fruits, sometimes other parts of plants, invertebrates.
Sexual maturity occurs at the age of 2 years. The mating season is at the end of May. Pregnancy 120 days. Cubs are born one a year, in September-early October. The cub clings to the mother's fur and for the first three weeks is inseparably with her, hanging on her chest. From the age of three weeks, he begins to take the first independent steps and tries the main food that his mother or other members of the group feed him. At the age of 5-6 months, he becomes independent.
Lemurs devote a lot of time to grooming, grooming, thus expressing loyalty and sympathy for other members of the group. The structure of the teeth of the lower jaw resembles a comb, with the help of which the coat is cared for.
Life expectancy in nature is 20-25 years.
Genus Lemurs Vari or fluffy lemurs(lat. Varecia, Gray, 1863)
The genus Varia lemurs, or fluffy lemurs - Varecia are represented by one species, within which two subspecies are distinguished: the black-and-white fluffy lemur Varecia variegata variegata and the red fluffy lemur Varecia variegata rubra.
They are similar in size and behavior, but differ in coloration. The black and white lemur has a black tail, a black muzzle with white fur, and a black and white spotted coat. The red lemur has a black tail, muzzle and legs, a reddish-brown body and a white patch between the shoulders.
Lemur Vari or Lemur black and white fluffy(lat. Varecia variegata, eng. Black-and-white ruffed lemur Kerr, 1792)
The black and white fluffy lemur lives in the rainforests in the east of Madagascar at an altitude of up to 1200 m above sea level. Body length with head 55 cm, tail 60 cm. Weight 30.5-4.5 kg. The coat is colored with black and white spots, the location of which is different in different populations of the species.
Lemurs of this species live in families of 8-16 individuals, more often 2-5. Each group has its own territory, and all members of the group are aggressive towards trespassers. Females dominate the family and form the backbone of the group. They have the right to choose food and a partner in the first place.
Members of the group constantly call to each other, giving signals in case of danger (the last are about 12 species). Natural enemies are snakes (boa constrictor), eagles and other predators. During the rainy season, females gather in large groups, during the drought they disperse in search of food. They feed on fruits and leaves, nectar and shoots.
Red vari or Red fluffy lemur(Latin Varecia rubra, English Red ruffed lemur, E. Geoffroy, 1812)
The red fluffy lemur lives in the subtropical forests of the Masoala peninsula near Maroansetre in the northeast of Madagascar. They are found east of the Antainambalana River, which is the natural boundary of the distribution of black-and-white and red fluffy lemurs. Body length with head 55 cm, tail - 60 cm. Weight 3.5-4.5 kg. The coat is red-brown in color, with a white spot on the back of the neck. Chest, tail, forehead and inner parts of the limbs are black.
Lemurs of this species live in families of 2-16 individuals, more often 2-5. Each group has its own territory, and all members of the group are aggressive towards trespassers. Females dominate the family and form the backbone of the group. They have the right to choose food and a partner in the first place. Members of the group constantly call to each other, giving signals in case of danger (the last are about 12 species). Natural enemies are snakes (boa constrictor), eagles and other predators. During the rainy season, females gather in large groups, during the drought they disperse in search of food. They feed on fruits and leaves, nectar and shoots.
Sexual maturity occurs at the age of 2 years. The mating season takes place in May-July. The duration of pregnancy is 90-102 days. The female gives birth to up to 6 cubs, the usual number of 3 being the only primates to bear such a large litter. The female has six nipples and is able to feed the entire litter. Unlike other primates, female furry lemurs do not carry their young on their backs, but place them in leaf nests while they feed themselves.
Lemurs often groom each other's fur, thus expressing their sympathy for group members. For grooming, they do not use fingers, but a kind of comb from the lower teeth. Life expectancy in nature is 15-20 years.
Lemur is a mammal of the primate order, suborder Wet-nosed monkeys, infraorder Lemur-like, of the Lemuridae family (Lemuridae).
About 50 million years ago, at the dawn of the Cenozoic era, the first primates appeared on planet Earth. Over time, they were divided into 2 groups - monkeys and semi-monkeys. Approximately 25 million years ago, prosimians gave rise to a group of lemurs. In those distant times, lemurs flourished, but later they were forced out from everywhere by real monkeys. But there is still a place on Earth where these ancient and mysterious creatures have survived. The magical island of Madagascar, often called the "Island of the Lemurs", has become the habitat of these unique representatives of the fauna.
The word "lemur" itself means "spirit of the deceased" or "ghost". The ghosts of these animals with eyes like saucers were attributed to the fact that many of them are nocturnal, breaking the silence of the rainforest with their sometimes piercing, sometimes mournful cries. And according to local belief, the dead, or those who left people and went to live in the jungle, move to lemurs. In fact, lemurs are charming and harmless creatures.
Lemurs have a thick hairline of various colors, a fluffy and long tail, a muzzle is often elongated, eyes are large, close-set. Limbs grasping with well opposed thumbs. Nails grow on all fingers, only on the lower limbs one finger has a long claw, which is used by animals for hygienic purposes - with its help they take care of their hair and clean their ears ..
How many different species and subspecies of lemurs live on the island, no one can say for sure. Every year, scientists describe more and more new species. If at the end of the 20th century 31 species were classified as lemurs, today more than a hundred species of lemurs are known, grouped into five families.
Different types of these animals can differ significantly both in appearance and size, and in their way of life. So, if the pygmy mouse lemur weighs no more than 50 grams, then the weight of Indri can reach 10 kilograms.
It is conceived by nature in such a way that the habitats of all types of lemurs on the island are scattered pointwise. Each species has features of behavior, habitat and rhythm of life. Some species hang in trees all day and slowly consume greenery, while others spend more time on the ground hunting insects and small vertebrates. Among these animals there are both diurnal and nocturnal species. Diurnal birds are usually larger and brighter colored, they love to soak up the sun, spread out on the branches of trees. Night vagrants wake up at dusk, filling the forest with a cry, make a "marafet" and go in search of food, often overcoming great distances. They are even more big-eyed than their diurnal counterparts.
Even the principles of building a lemur family are different for different species. Some are monogamous, others prefer polygamous harem families, and still others change partners every year.
All lemurs are extremely interesting, amazing and charming. Let's talk about some types in more detail.
Indri - the "giant" among lemurs
They say that once huge lemurs lived in Madagascar, the weight of which reached 200 kilograms! Today, the short-tailed Indri (Indri indri), which lives in the northeastern regions of the island, is recognized as the largest lemur. The body length of babakoto (as the locals call indri) can reach 90 cm; the tail, in comparison with other species, is short in indri - about 5 cm. The muzzle of the animal is elongated and slightly reminiscent of a dog, the ears are large and furry, the lips are red. The coat throughout the body is very thick with a white-gray-black pattern, and the muzzle is almost hairless.
lemur indri The diet of indri consists almost entirely of leaves, among which poisonous ones also come across. To neutralize the toxins that enter their body, the little animals periodically eat the earth.
Indri is not only the largest living lemur, but also perhaps the noisiest. If you are lucky enough to be in the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, then early in the morning you can hear the shrill cries that the indri flocks call to each other, declaring their rights to their territory.
Babakoto are also famous for the fact that they are the most faithful among the entire Lemurian kingdom. Once having created a couple, they keep it for life. Females occupy a privileged position in the family.
Lemur vari - plush miracle
lemur vari Variegated lemur (Varecia variegata) is another large member of the family. These beauties live in the rain forests of the eastern part of the island, feed mainly on fruits. They prefer to live in groups of up to 30 individuals. Varia reigns matriarchy, i.e. females dominate here.
Look at the photo: the vari lemur with its body resembles a plush toy, and its fingers are just like human ones!
And this species is also dominated by females - the leader of a group of 15-20 animals is the largest of the adults.
Bamboo lemur - a charming "gourmet"
Three species of bamboo lemurs are known to science: golden lemur (Hapalemur aureus), broad-nosed lemur (large bamboo lemur) (Prolemur simus) and gray bamboo lemur (Hapalemur griseus).
It is not for nothing that the animals got such a name, because they cannot imagine their life without juicy bamboo, and each species prefers certain varieties. From 90 to 98% of their diet comes from shoots, stems, seeds and fruits of bamboo. It is noteworthy that cyanides are contained in high concentrations of bamboo shoots, for most mammals these substances are fatal, but not for the lemur - it spends almost all the time in bamboo thickets and puts fresh leaves in its mouth, being distracted only to sleep.
The golden bamboo lemur is the rarest species. It is the size of a cat, weighs 1-1.5 kg.
Golden bamboo lemur In the photo below, the large bamboo lemur is one of the largest species found in the southeast of Madagascar.
Great bamboo lemur Undoubtedly, all lemurs are charming creatures, but perhaps the cutest are the gray bamboo lemurs. These little elves are found in the east and north of the island.
Gray bamboo lemur Katta - the most "hyped" lemur
Perhaps the most famous and “promoted” by mass culture lemur is the catta lemur (Lemur catta) or ring-tailed lemur. The local population calls it "poppies".
Its distinguishing feature is a luxurious tail in black and white rings. By the way, another name for this lemur is “ring-tailed”. It lives in dry woodlands in the south of Madagascar. Katta is the size of a cat, but it is truly beautiful. A white smart muzzle is decorated with large golden eyes framed by black "glasses". The belly, breast, neck and ears are completely white, the fur on the back is gray or pinkish brown. It is noteworthy that the entire skin of the body is black.
This lemur is called feline not only because of the long and fluffy tail. The sounds that katta make are reminiscent of meowing and purring. But it is at rest. When the animal is excited or frightened, it squeals loudly and piercingly.
In many reserves, ring-tailed lemurs are practically not afraid of people and can even afford to be stroked. Unlike their counterparts, they spend a lot of time on the ground. They can walk, relying on all 4 limbs and holding their tail high, or they can move only on their hind limbs, keeping their body upright. In addition, they are able to make fantastic jumps while remaining upright, like humans.
In the homes of exotic lovers, you can meet the cat lemur more often than others.
The arm is the most unusual lemur
The arm, he is the Madagascar arm, he is also ah-ah (Daubentonia madagascariensis) - this is truly an alien creature. Outwardly, ah-ah is not at all like his fellow lemurs. There was a time when, due to the peculiar structure of the teeth, the arm was even attributed to tropical rodents. Scientists argued for a long time which species to attribute this to, but in the end they came to the conclusion that this is not a rodent, but a special species of lemurs, which only slightly deviated in development from the general trunk of the group.
The slender body, approximately 40 cm long, is covered with stiff, straight, dark brown or black hair, the tail reaches 60 cm. The short muzzle, compared to other species, is decorated with orange-yellow or greenish eyes and huge leathery ears.
Madagascar bats live in the dry forests of the western part of the island. It is not so easy to see this lemur with your own eyes, the animal is nocturnal, and only occasionally descends to the ground.
Sifaka - the most jumping lemur
Sifaka Verro or crested indri (Propithecus verreauxi) lives in the northern part of the island. It is also called the dancing lemur, because it moves on the ground by jumping on its hind legs, while spreading its arms wide. From the side it seems as if he is performing some kind of funny dance. In general, sifaka are absolute champions in jumping and flying. They can easily jump to the second floor of an apartment building!
Sifak is popularly called a sun-worshipper. As the sun rises, he settles down on a tree branch, raises his arms and freezes. It seems as if the animal is praying to its gods. In fact, lemurs bask in the sun specifically to warm their wrists. In this place are glands that secrete a special lubricant. Hanging on a tree, the animal leaves its smell on the bark, which makes it clear to strangers whose territory it is.
The smallest lemur
The dwarf mouse lemur (Microcebus myoxinus) is the smallest of the genus of mouse lemurs (you can read more about miniature lemurs). It lives in dry forests in the west of the island. The weight of a lemurchik does not exceed 40 grams. Look at the photo, the lemur fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, while the tail of the crumbs is larger than itself!
Regrettably, there are very few lemurs left on our planet. Today, almost all known species have become rare and are listed in the Red Book. And the reason for the disappearance of these charming creatures was a man. And if lemurs can hide in foliage from their natural enemies in nature - hawks, then there is no salvation from a person who exterminates animals for commercial purposes, and also cuts down forests and bamboo groves, depriving animals of their natural habitat. If this continues, then the only place where these amazing defenseless animals can find shelter will be zoos.
In contact with
Hapalemur aureus Meier, Albignac, Peyrieras, Rumpler and Wright,
| Systematics on Wikispecies |
Images at Wikimedia Commons |
|
Golden lemur(lat. Hapalemur aureus) is a mammal from the genus meek lemurs ( Hapalemur) of the Lemur family ( Lemuridae). Distributed only in Madagascar, in the rainforest region in the southeast of the island. The distribution of these animals is closely related to the growth of bamboo.
Appearance
The total body length of the golden lemur reaches 80 cm, half of which falls on the tail. Body weight 1.2-1.6 kg. Soft fur of medium length, short muzzle. The head is spherical, the ears are short and hairy. The face is black, with golden yellow eyebrows, cheeks and throat. There is virtually no sexual dimorphism in golden bamboo lemurs, although females have a more grayish upper body.
Behavior
Golden lemurs live in family groups of 2 to 4 animals. The group consists of adult males, adult females and juveniles. Lemurs communicate with each other with a sharp grunt. They lead an arboreal lifestyle. They are active in the early morning and evening, as well as at night. They live on plots of about 80 hectares.
Golden lemurs are herbivores. They feed mainly on plants from the Cereal family, as well as giant bamboos endemic to Madagascar - they eat the leaves and shoots of these plants. Golden lemurs eat an average of up to 500 g of bamboo per day.
During the breeding season, golden lemurs live in family groups, which consist of one male and one or two females. This means that the mating system is either monogamous or polygamous.
Mating occurs from May to September. Pregnancy lasts 135-150 days. The young are born in October-February. There are 1-2 cubs in a litter. Newborns weigh about 32 g. Weaning occurs at 20 weeks of age.
No parental behavior has been recorded in male golden lemurs, meaning that all care for the cubs is left to the mother.
conservation status
This is a very rare species: in total in nature there are 200-400 individuals of the golden lemur. They are endangered due to habitat destruction, in particular from slash-and-burn agriculture and deforestation. Listed in Appendix I of CITES. Hunting for this species is prohibited. Status