Pygmy mouse lemur. Dwarf Lemurs Mouse gray lemur lifestyle
Lemurs and lorises are small furry creatures with thick fur and large expressive eyes. The search for an exotic pet for most owners of an indoor zoo begins with questions: how much does a lemur cost, where to buy and how to keep it. You can hardly find lemurs in pet stores in Russia, only in online stores and in nurseries.
Lemurs: poppies, vari and others
Exotic animals living on the "island of lemurs" - Madagascar - increasingly began to appear in Russian families. It is preferable that a captive-born lemur be in the house, the price in such cases will be from 40 to 100 thousand rubles. The cost of the animal depends on the type, size, coat color, health status.
Exotic animals are able to breed at home when they are purchased in pairs. In captivity, a young lemur adapts better, it is better to buy a pair for acquiring babies. Males and females get along better at an early age, in a mature state they often have territorial and food claims to each other.
The strepsirrhine primate species most popular for captive breeding are the 5 families:
- Actually lemurs: feline ring-tailed (kata, maki), black, red-bellied, mongoose, lemur vari, red vari.
- Dwarf: gray mouse and pygmy mouse lemurs.
- Indriya lemurs: indri, sifaka.
- Loris: big fat loris, pygmy loris.
- Galagidae: fat-tailed and Senegalese galagos.
Almost all species of strepsirrhine primates are recognized as endangered, many are listed in the Red Book. It is difficult to say how much the ah-ah is worth - the lemur, which has become one of the rarest. It is easier to find red (red) vari in online stores. The price of the largest individuals of this species reaches up to 400 thousand rubles and more.
How to tame a lemur
Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) belongs to the family of lemurs proper. In Madagascar it is known as maki, in Russia it is often called katta. Feline - the most studied and popular of lemurs, the price of one individual is 100–250 thousand rubles. The body length of the catta together with the tail is more than 1 m. The coat color is gray, sometimes brown, the belly is white, there are dark spots around the eyes on the muzzle.
The weight of the ring-tailed lemur reaches 3.5 kg, almost half of the mass falls on a luxurious black and white striped tail. Catta feeds mainly on fruits, sometimes insects. For this mobile lemur, you will have to buy a spacious cage, an aviary, or allocate a room where the animal will inquisitively explore all the nooks and crannies. The record lifespan for a catta in captivity is 37 years.
Lemur vari (Varecia variegata) in the house feels quite tolerable, shows a developed intellect and canine devotion to the owner. Many fans of exotic animals are interested in how much lemurs cost - vari and red - the largest of the family. The length of large individuals is more than 1 m, weight - 4 kg. The diet includes fruits, leaves, and flowers, and life expectancy in captivity on a "fruit diet" is as high as 25–30 years.
Problem for the owner who gave away almost 300 thousand rubles for lemur vari or 420 thousand rubles for the red lemur - buy or build a large aviary in the house. You can consider other options: place the animal in a separate room or in a building on a personal plot. Letting a lemur run around is not a good idea. Primates have no "toilet" habits, there is an irresistible desire to swing on curtains and chandeliers.
The length of the graceful body of the dwarf mouse lemur is 20 cm, 10 of which falls on the tail. Almost half of the sharp fox muzzle is occupied by large eyes, which are set off by dark rings. Dwarf - the smallest of the lemurs, the price of the animal reaches 50 thousand rubles. A tiny animal willingly eats insects and spiders, does not disdain fruits and nectar. The lemur is kept in a cage equipped with tree branches and a shelter in the form of a nest.
Lori and galago
Among wild animals, the pygmy loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) stands out especially for its cuteness and cleanliness. Fans of rare animals often try to find out how much such a lemur costs if it grew up in a nursery. You can buy loris for 55–80 thousand rubles. With good maintenance, he will live in captivity for 12–15 years. You will need a cage equipped with all the "amenities" in the form of tree trunks and a nest.
The Senegalese and thick-tailed Galago are primates related to lemurs, the prices for these animals are the same (65–100 thousand rubles). Painted exotic animals in subtle colors - brown, gray, brown. Galagos jump well thanks to the special structure of the hind legs and the fluffy tail, which plays the role of a balancer. Huge round eyes help the animal to hunt insects at night.
Lemurs, lorises and galagos conquer continents and countries, captivate exotic lovers who are interested in unusual pets. Some conservationists are concerned about the conservation of lemurs, they consider buying an animal listed in the Red Book not the best idea. Others argue that comfortable living conditions in houses and apartments will help increase the number of endangered animals. After all, lemurs tolerate cages and enclosures well, they are not whimsical and are easily tamed.
Pygmy mouse lemur (Microcebus myoxinus)
Class - mammals
Order - primates
Family - dwarf lemurs
Genus - mouse lemurs
Appearance
The smallest of the mouse lemurs and one of the smallest primates (the main competitor for this title is the pygmy marmoset). Weight about 300 grams, body length about 20 centimeters, 10 of which are tail. It has a red-brown color on the back and a creamy-white belly.
The muzzle is short, the ears are almost bare, webbed type. The coat color is brownish-red or gray (some with white markings), dark rings around the eyes, emphasizing the large size of the eyes. In mouse lemurs, the navicular and calcaneal bones are elongated, like in African galagos. They also move in the same way, by jumping.
Habitat
It lives in arid deciduous and mixed forests in the west of Madagascar, in the Kirindi Natural Park, where it was discovered. It is believed that the range is wider, but there is no confirmation of this.
Lifestyle in nature
The basis of nutrition: spiders, insects, fruits, nectar, leaves, less often - small frogs and lizards.
There are actually mouse lemurs alone and in pairs, but in captivity they can be kept in large groups. They sleep curled up in tree hollows or in nests made of grass, small twigs and leaves. They are in the same state during the period of hibernation, which they fall into during the dry season. In a favorable (rainy) period, they accumulate fat in different parts of the body, especially at the base of the tail, and in a state of prolonged stupor they use up these fat reserves.
reproduction
The pregnancy of mouse lemurs proper lasts about 60-70 days, the female gives birth to 2-3 blind cubs weighing 3-5 g, the eyes open already on the 2nd day of life.
At 15 days they begin to climb. They become completely independent after 60 days, and reach sexual maturity at 7-10 months. They breed relatively easily in captivity.
For keeping a dwarf lemur at home, any one is suitable, in which there must be tree branches. It is better to make the back of the cage deaf. So lemurs feel safe. The bedding in the rest box should be made of natural cotton wool or dried hay. The place where the cage with your pet will be located should be away from drafts, because lemurs are prone to colds. Otherwise, these animals easily tolerate the climate of the middle zone. It is also very important to keep the cage clean: a domestic lemur will not do this himself and will smell bad. First of all, light cleaning should be done every day, and once a month, wipe the floor with a damp cloth and sprinkle with a fresh layer of sawdust.
A shelter should be installed in the cage where the lemurs can hide from prying eyes and daylight. It is best to use a fur nest envelope, which is convenient to hang in a cage.
Dwarf lemurs are fed most often late in the evening, although it is possible to teach them to eat during the day, but it is better, if the animal does not want to, do not force it. It is most convenient in a deep metal bowl (as for parrots), which is hung on the bars of the cage. Most often, their wake time comes around eight o'clock in the evening, around this time they are served food. Some species of lemurs eat animal food, in this case they have to be fed with boiled meat, various insects, which some catch themselves while walking around the apartment. Also baby food. The main thing is not to overfeed! If you give a lot of bananas, grapes, zofobas, carrots, lettuce, nuts, then the sweetest (bananas and zofobasy) will be eaten. The rest of the necessary things will not be touched. Therefore, you can arrange fasting days and give, for example, only carrots, one almond, and other vegetables. An example of feeding: two zofobas, half a large cockroach (or only one cockroach), one nut, a few pieces of an apple, just a little bit of a banana, a couple of pieces of dates or figs. If there are more insects, then less than the rest. In general, it is better to undereat a couple of times a week.
Give lemurs commercial primate food with a mixture of fresh (mango, apples) and dry fruits, nuts (almonds, hazelnuts), bread, boiled rice, insects (meal beetle, zophobas, cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers), vitamin supplements. Occasionally they are given dairy-free baby porridge (placed with water and honey can be added).
There should always be fresh water. The drinker can be ball. So that animals do not feel bored and do not lose their appetite, it is very important to provide them with a varied diet.
In captivity, lemurs are calm, they never break anything. This is probably the only species of primate that can be allowed to go outside the cage without much control. They easily become attached to the owner and miss him greatly in his absence.
Distributed in the western and southern parts of Madagascar. You can meet this lemur in dry and humid deciduous tropical forests, on the lower tier of the forest.
Body length is about 6.1 cm, tail length is 13.6 cm, weight is 30.6 g.
It feeds on fruits, flowers and insects. The breeding season is in October. Pregnancy lasts 60 days. The female is able to give birth to 2 or 3 cubs.
Greater pygmy lemur
Greater Dwarf Lemur
(Cheirogaleus major)
Distributed in forests and wooded arid areas of eastern and northern Madagascar, less common in west-central Madagascar.
Body size, like a large rat. The tail is shorter (16.5-25 cm) than the head and body and very thick at the base.
It feeds on fruits, flowers and nectar, as well as insects and small vertebrates, and may eat honey. Leads a nocturnal lifestyle. Sleeps during the day in a nest built from branches, leaves and grass or hollows of trees covered with dry leaves. They live alone, but can rest in a hollow with other lemurs. Owns a territory less than 200 m in circumference, and the possessions of lemurs overlap. These lemurs do not defend the boundaries of their possessions. They mark possessions with urine and feces. During adverse conditions, it can fall into a state of stupor for a period of more than a month. During this time, lemurs retire to the hollow of a tree or in the crown of a tree and feed on the reserves of fat stored at the base of the tail.
The female is able to mate for 2-3 days in October or November. Pregnancy lasts 70 days. The female settles in a hollow tree lined with leaves, where she gives birth to 2-3 cubs. After 2 days, their eyes open, and for 3-4 weeks they can climb trees and follow their mother. The female feeds them with milk for 45 days. A month and a half after birth, the cubs are completely independent and do not need a mother.
Wool-eared pygmy lemur
Furry-eared Dwarf Lemur
(Cheirogaleus crossleyi)
It lives in the forests of the northern and eastern parts of Madagascar.
Sibri's pygmy lemur
Sibree's Dwarf Lemur
(Cheirogaleus sibreei)
Distributed in the eastern part of Madagascar.
The genus (Cheirogaleus) also includes: Southern fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus adipicaudatus), Small gray dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus minusculus), Large gray dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus ravus).
Mouse lemur Cockerela
Coquerel's Dwarf Lemur
(Mirza coquereli)
It lives in the arid forests of Western Madagascar at an altitude of about 700 m above sea level.
The length of the body together with the head is about 20 cm, the tail is 33 cm. Weight - 300 g.
Leads a nocturnal solitary lifestyle. During the day, he settles down to rest in the hollow of a tree. It feeds on fruits, flowers, gums, insects and their secretions, spiders, frogs, chameleons and small birds.
These are territorial animals, and they are tolerant of violations of the boundaries of large possessions and are aggressive in the defense of a recreation area. Several animals sleep in the same hollow or build nests close to each other.
Sexual maturity occurs at 2 years. The mating season is timed to October, pregnancy lasts 3 months, cubs (1-4) are born in January. The female brings offspring annually. The female takes care of the cubs and carries them in her teeth. A month later, the cubs already leave the nest. They begin to feed on their own, but with cries they let their mother know about themselves, maintaining close contact with her. Life expectancy is 15-20 years.
northern great mouse lemur
Northern Giant Mouse Lemur
(Mirza zaza)
Distributed in the northern part of the island of Madagascar. It was opened in 2005 by Kappeler.
Pygmy mouse lemur
Pygmy Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus myoxinus)
It lives in arid deciduous and mixed forests in the west of Madagascar, in the Kirindi Natural Park, where it was discovered. It is believed that the habitat is wider, but there is no confirmation of this.
This is one of the smallest primates. Weight is about 43–55 g, body length is about 20 cm, 10 of them are on the tail.
The basis of nutrition: spiders, insects, fruits, nectar, leaves, less often - small frogs and lizards. They are found alone and in pairs, but in captivity they can be kept in large groups. They sleep curled up in tree hollows or in nests made of grass, small twigs and leaves. They are in the same state during the period of hibernation, which they fall into during the dry season. In a favorable (rainy) period, they accumulate fat in different parts of the body, especially at the base of the tail, and in a state of prolonged stupor they use up these fat reserves.
The pregnancy of mouse lemurs proper lasts about 70 days, the female gives birth to 2-3 blind cubs weighing 18-20 g, the eyes open already on the 2nd day of life.
Gray mouse lemur
Gray Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus murinus)
Lives in the forests of Western and Northern Madagascar.
With a weight of 58 to 67 grams, it is the largest representative of the genus of mouse lemurs (Microcebus).
Like all mouse lemurs, the gray mouse lemur is a nocturnal arboreal animal. He is very active. It feeds alone, but these lemurs sleep in groups in hollows of trees. Dry and cool winter months spends in hibernation, which is uncharacteristic for primates. It feeds mainly on fruits, insects, flowers, and nectar. The natural enemies of this species are owls, snakes, as well as a number of predatory mammals endemic to Madagascar. Approximately every fourth gray mouse lemur becomes a victim of a predator; in other primates this figure is lower. But these losses are quickly made up by rapid reproduction. Reproduction is seasonal, partners determine each other's species by voice - this is necessary to prevent hybridization with other species of the genus that are very similar in appearance. Pregnancy lasts approximately 60 days, there are usually 2 cubs in the litter. At the age of two months, these cubs are already independent, and starting from the age of one, they can breed. At the age of 6 years, reproduction stops. In captivity, they live up to 15 years.
Reddish-gray mouse lemur
Reddish Gray Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus griseorufus)
It lives in the forests of the southwestern part of Madagascar at an altitude of about 250 m above sea level.
Golden-brown mouse lemur
golden brown mouse lemur
(Microcebus ravelobensis)
Distributed in the northwestern part of Madagascar in the Ampijoroa Nature Reserve. It lives at an altitude of about 500 m above sea level.
The body length without a tail is about 12.5 cm, weight - 40-70 g.
Simmons' mouse lemur
Simmons" Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus simmonsi)
Distributed in the northeastern part of Madagascar. It lives at an altitude of about 960 m above sea level.
Red mouse lemur
Brown Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus rufus)
Distributed along the east coast of Madagascar. The natural habitats of this species are primary and secondary forests, including coastal rainforest forest belts and secondary bamboo forests.
Body length 12.5 cm. Tail length - 11.5 cm. Body weight about 50 g.
Lemurs feed primarily on plant fruits, although sometimes they can eat insects, young leaves, flowers, tree resin, nectar and pollen from flowers. The diet changes seasonally, with increased fruit consumption between December and March.
They perform ritual courtship before mating, which consists of using a soft, ringing squeak and tail whipping to attract the female to mate. Females notify males of their sexual receptivity through frequent rubbing of the genitals and wiping the mouth. In the territories of males, several females usually live. Dominant males may mate with several females, creating a kind of harem.
Mating takes place between September and October. Pregnancy lasts about 60 days. Young animals are born in November-December, there are from 1 to 3 cubs in the litter. Lactation lasts 2 months, cubs wean from mother's milk in February, when food becomes easily available. Sexual maturity occurs after 1 year of life. Life expectancy in nature is from 6 to 8 years, but in captivity they can live up to 10-15 years.
Berta's mouse lemur
Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus berthae)
Endemic to Madagascar. It was found in the western part of the island in the Kirindi National Park. The area of \u200b\u200bno more than 900 km². The habitat is dry deciduous forest.
It is the smallest primate known to science. The body length is only 9-9.5 cm, and the lemur weighs 24-38 g. The lemur has a long tail 13-14 cm long. The fur is short and thick.
Active at night, prefers to stay in trees. During the day, it sleeps in nests of leaves arranged on vines and other climbing plants. Leads a solitary life.
Goodman's mouse lemur
Goodman's Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus lehilahytsara)
Distributed in the eastern part of Madagascar in the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.
MacArthur's mouse lemur
MacArthur's Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus macarthurii)
Distributed in northern Madagascar.
Danfoss mouse lemur
Danfoss Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus danfossi)
It was found in the northwestern part of Madagascar between the Sofia and Maevarano rivers.
The length of the body is 25-29 cm, the length of the tail is 15-17 cm.
Arnhold's mouse lemur
Arnhold's Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus arnholdi)
It was found in the northern part of Madagascar in the area of the Montagne d'Ambre National Park in 2005.
Body length is about 8 cm, tail - 12 cm, body weight - 49.7 g.
Mouse lemur Margot Marsh
Margot Marsh's Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus margotmarshae)
It was found in the northern part of Madagascar in 2006. Named after Margot Marsh, known for her work in the field of primate conservation.
Body length is about 8.4 cm, tail - 14 cm, body weight - 41 g.
Mouse lemur Herpa
Gerp's Mouse Lemur
(Microcebus gerpi)
It was discovered in 2012 in the eastern part of Madagascar in the Sahafina forest area, which is located 50 km from the Mantadia National Park.
Body weight is about 68 g, tail length is about 15 cm.
The genus of mouse lemurs (Microcebus) also includes: Northern red mouse lemur (Microcebus tavaratra), Sambiran mouse lemur (Microcebus sambiranensis), Jolly's mouse lemur (Microcebus jollyae), Mettermeier's mouse lemur (Microcebus mittermeieri), Claire's mouse lemur (Microcebus mamiratra) , Bongolava mouse lemur (Microcebus bongovaensis).
hairy-eared lemur
Hairy-eared Dwarf Lemur
(Allocebus trichotis)
Reliably confirmed habitat - lowland humid forests of eastern Madagascar in the area of the Mananara River; since 1989, subpopulations have also been found in a number of national parks and reserves in other areas of eastern Madagascar. Hairy-eared lemurs are under the threat of complete extinction, as their native forests are actively cut down, and they themselves are used as food by local residents.
The hairy-eared lemur is one of the smallest primates, up to 30 cm long and weighing 80-100 g.
Hairy-eared lemurs are nocturnal. They nest in hollows in groups of two to six individuals, the nest is usually lined with straw. From May to September, they may hibernate in tree cavities. It is not known for certain what they eat, but the arrangement of claws and teeth may indicate that plant resins form the basis of their diet, and a long tongue may help to drink nectar. The breeding season of allocebus is also not known for certain, but juveniles found in March two times smaller than adults indicate that the estrus period occurs at the beginning of the rainy season in November and December, and the cubs are born in January-February, as in closely related genera of mice and dwarf lemurs.
Forked-striped lemur
Masoala Fork-crowned Lemur
(Phaner furcifer)
Lives in the tropical rainforests of the northern and western coasts of Madagascar.
The body length is 25-27 cm, the tail length is 30-38 cm. The body is covered with thick, soft hair, its general color is reddish-gray or brownish-gray. The color reaches its greatest brightness on the head and on the neck. On the head from the eyes to the back of the head there are two black stripes, which are connected together in the back of the head and then a single black stripe stretches back along the middle of the neck and along the entire back. The throat and belly are pale rufous or yellowish. The hands and feet are brown, and the tail is covered with long thick hair of a dark reddish-brown color with a black or white tip.
Leads a nocturnal lifestyle, feeds on insects, fruits, honey. It nests in hollows of trees, rests and sleeps in a sitting position, with its head lowered between the forelimbs. Usually they keep 2-3 individuals together. Very mobile, able to make long jumps. Does not hibernate. There are 2-3 cubs in a litter.
Western forked lemur
Western Fork-owned Lemur
(Phaner pallescens)
Distributed in the western part of Madagascar from the Fiherenana River north to the Soalala region. It lives in forests at an altitude of about 800 m above sea level.
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Amber Mountain Fork-crowned Lemur
(Phaner electromontis)
It inhabits the Montagne d'Ambre region, which is located in the northern part of Madagascar. It is kept at an altitude of 50-1500 m above sea level.
The Fork-banded lemur (Phaner) also includes the Forked-banded lemur Parinta (Phaner parienti), which lives at an altitude of about 800 m above sea level in the northwestern part of Madagascar in the Sambirano region.
Gray mouse lemurs are small lemurs living in Madagascar, they are also called Miller's lemurs. These lemurs got their name due to their resemblance to mice in color and size.
All mouse lemurs are very similar to each other, therefore, one species of gray lemurs was previously distinguished, but when crossing different species, fertile offspring is not obtained.
Gray lemurs weigh 58-67 grams, with such a small mass they are the largest of their kind, which includes the smallest primates.
Lifestyle of mouse gray lemurs
Like other mouse lemurs, the gray lemur is arboreal nocturnal. These animals are very active. They sleep together in groups, but feed singly. They wait out the dry months in hibernation, and this is not a typical behavior for primates.
Gray mouse lemurs live in the forests of the northern and western parts of the island of Madagascar. They are found in scrublands, tropical dry forests, floodplain forests, deciduous forests, clear cuts and agricultural plantations. These lemurs live at an altitude of up to 800 meters. They prefer to climb thin branches, the diameter of which does not exceed 5 centimeters. In the forests, the lower tier and undergrowth are kept.
Gray mouse lemurs spend almost half of their time without rising to a height of more than 3 meters. This behavior is observed in them at the end of the dry season, when there is not much food and lemurs have to actively hunt insects. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, flowers, insects. Most often they attack beetles, but they also eat praying mantises, butterflies, lanterns, and spiders. In addition, small vertebrates, such as frogs and geckos, can become their prey. They also feed on nectar, which is why they are considered potential pollinators of local vegetation. This omnivorous nature enables gray lemurs to adapt to seasonal changes.
Enemies of mouse lemurs
The natural enemies of these small lemurs are snakes, owls and various predators of Madagascar.
The main enemies are eared Madagascar owls. They are also attacked by the following snakes: ring-tailed mungo, narrow-banded mungo. Domestic dogs also kill lemurs.
Predators kill approximately every fourth individual, in comparison with other primates, this figure is high. But such losses are quickly replenished due to the rapid reproduction of gray mouse lemurs. Most often, lemurs flee from predators by flight, but sometimes they can collectively defend themselves.
Behavior of gray mouse lemurs
During the day, gray mouse lemurs rest in hollows lined with leaves. They can also make ball-shaped nests from small branches, moss and leaves. Up to 15 lemurs can rest in one hollow. Most often, females prefer to sleep in groups, and males - one by one.
At night, the animals are very active, they quickly rush like mice. They can overcome up to 3 meters in a jump, while the tail acts as a balancer. Moving along thin branches, they hold on to them with all four limbs. And they jump on the ground like frogs. They rarely go to the ground to cross any area or catch an insect.
Gray mouse lemurs eat often and slowly. Before attacking the victim, the location is determined with the help of hearing, while the ears move separately in relation to each other. The lemur abruptly jumps on the insect and climbs up the tree with it, where it calmly eats. Vision is also an important organ for hunting.
Reproduction of gray mouse lemurs
Reproduction in these animals is seasonal. Mouse gray lemurs find voice partners, this helps them avoid the risk of hybrids with other species of mouse lemurs, which are very similar in appearance.
Reproduction of lemurs is seasonal, partners determine each other's species by voice - this is necessary to prevent hybridization with other species of the genus. Pregnancy in gray mouse lemurs lasts almost 60 days, mainly 2 babies are born. At two months, the cubs already become independent, and they can start breeding as early as a year. At the age of six, the ability to give offspring disappears. In captivity, they can live up to 15 years.
Conservation status of Miller's lemur
In 1975, gray mouse lemurs were considered an endangered species, and their trade was banned. But in 2009 they were excluded from the Endangered Species Convention.
The main threat to gray mouse lemurs is habitat destruction. The forests in which these animals live are rapidly shrinking. Also, these primates are caught for the purpose of sale, as they are made into pets.
Even from school biology lessons, we remember how diverse the fauna of our planet is. The fauna of Madagascar stands out against the general background. The nature of this island has formed an independent zoogeographic region, which is home to a huge number of insects, reptiles and mammals. Moreover, more than half of all animals found here cannot be seen in any other corner of the Earth. After reading this article, you will learn about the most interesting inhabitants of Madagascar - dwarf lemurs.
Short description
Representatives of this family have retained many primitive features, so they can be used as the best living models of ancient primates. This group of animals also includes the smallest lemur, first discovered in the 90s of the last century. Its mass does not exceed 30 grams, which is not much more than the weight of a conventional
Dwarf lemurs, whose elongated body is only 20 centimeters long (half of which falls on the tail), are covered with short, thick hair. They have a white belly and a brown, gray or brown-red back. The short-faced head of the animal is decorated with bare webbed ears and around which black rings are located.
Lifestyle
Interestingly, dwarf lemurs live in pairs or alone. During the day, they sleep curled up in a ball, in tree hollows or in nests. With the onset of night, hunger forces them to leave their shelters and go in search of food. In the rainy season, when there is enough food for them, these babies try to accumulate more body fat, accumulating in various parts of the body, including the tail. With the onset of the dry period, the mouse lemur hibernates.
It should be noted that these miniature animals are considered hardworking builders. They build their own spherical nests by climbing to the top of the trees. All kinds of twigs and leaves are used as building materials.
Up to fifteen lemurs can gather in one nest at the same time, and most of them are females. Males can hardly stand each other's company and constantly conflict with each other.
Reproduction and nutrition
Dwarf lemurs are developing at a rapid pace. Individuals that have reached one year of age are considered sexually mature. Almost all representatives of this species give birth to two to four blind babies. The duration of pregnancy is about two or three months. The mass of newborn cubs does not exceed five grams. Already on the second day, their eyes begin to open. Fifteen-day-old babies are already able to climb trees. The mouse lemur becomes completely independent after he is two months old.
Many people who have visited the island of lemurs have these miniature animals at home. To keep in captivity, you need to purchase any cage that is suitable in size, in which there must be tree branches. It is desirable that the back of the house is deaf so that the animal feels more secure. It is recommended to line a box intended for animal rest with dried hay or natural wool.
When choosing a place where a cage with a pet will be located, it must be taken into account that dwarf lemurs are afraid of drafts and catch cold easily. It is interesting that the animals living in captivity do not monitor the cleanliness of their house, so you will have to deal with this issue. In order to avoid the appearance of an unpleasant odor, it is necessary to carry out light cleaning in his cage daily. At least once a month, it is recommended to wipe the floor of the house with a damp cloth and renew the layer of sawdust.
It is desirable that the cage has a shelter in which the animal can hide from daylight and prying eyes. For these purposes, you can use a fur envelope that looks like a nest.
What to feed
Food must be poured into a deep metal dish, suspended on the bars of the cage. It is better to feed the animals in the evening, but you can teach them to eat during the day. If the animal refuses to eat, do not force him. As a rule, the lemur wakes up at eight o'clock in the evening. It is at this time that you need to time the meal.
Some species of animals eat animal food. It is recommended to give boiled meat to such pets. But they can also independently catch insects flying around the apartment. You can also use baby food as food.
It is important to ensure that the animal does not overeat. He needs to periodically arrange fasting days. Vegetables, carrots, almonds, salads, grapes, dates and figs must be present in the diet of the animal.
Those who plan to feed their lemur with commercial food should add vitamins, grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches, mealybugs, boiled rice, bread, dried fruits and nuts to it. Sometimes they can be treated to dairy-free baby cereals.
How do these animals communicate?
Lemurs emit a fairly wide range of sounds, the frequency of which is about 10-36 kHz. Scientists who analyzed the vocalization features of pygmy lemurs revealed a lot of interesting things. So, by the cry of animals, each individual can be identified. Studies have shown that neighboring communities of lemurs communicate in different dialects.
During the breeding season, males make characteristic vibrating sounds consisting of musical phrases. They are very reminiscent of birdsong. The frequency of their repetition depends on the degree of interest of the females and on the motivation of the male himself.
conservation in nature
If we want to preserve the animal world, then we must protect all its representatives. of dwarf lemurs living in natural conditions is quite high. Fortunately, the widespread species of these animals are not threatened with extinction. But there are also rarer representatives of this family, including hairy-eared lemurs, which are on the verge of extinction.