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Lemurs are a diverse species of mammal called primitive primates that are found only on the island of Madagascar and the smaller Comoros islands to the Northeast. The name, “lemur” is derived from the original Greek word, “lemures”, meaning “nocturnal spirits”. These primates were so named because the majority of the 40 or so remaining species are tree-dwellers and forage for food during the hours of darkness.
Because Lemurs evolved in the early Eocene Epoch, that is, a few million years before modern primates, they are called “prosimians”. Lemurs have fox-like, pointed muzzles and a prominent nose and rely on their sense of smell to a much greater degree than their distant cousin, the monkey. Since many lemurs are active at night, their eyes are very large, giving them enhanced depth perception. Most species have large, bushy tails, but they are not pre-hensile. This means they do not use their tails to climb. Lemurs also have what is called a dental comb - their lower front teeth are fused together making it a very efficient grooming tool for their lush fur.
Lemurs come in many sizes from the pygmy mouse lemur that weighs barely an ounce to the true lemurs, of which there are 10 sub-species, all of which are about the same size as a domestic cat. Still others grow to about the size of a large racoon. Fur coloring also varies greatly from reds, browns, golden browns, to midnight black. Other species have solid body colors and ringed, multi-colored tails. The Aye-Aye is the most bizarre-looking of all the lemurs, with its huge golden eyes, prominent ears and long and luxurious white-tipped fur everywhere but on its face. Another sub-group, the Blue-eyed lemur, has the distinction of being the only primate, other than humans, to have blue eyes.
Most lemurs have a group social structure and live in “troops” of 10-20 members. The females seem to dominate and will stay with the troop into which she was born for her entire life span while males will travel from troop to troop to breed. Breeding happens about once a year and gestation varies from 60 days to 120 days. Females normally give birth to a single baby and weaning occurs from 6-8 months. Lemurs are generally vegetarian, eating flowers, leaves and fruit, however some do feed on insects or insect larvae, frogs, small birds and eggs. Lemur species that live in the more arid regions of Madagascar go into a torpor during the dry season, meaning their metabolism slows down and they fall into what is almost a hibernation state until the rains come and replenish their habitat.
Lemurs thrived and diversified on the isolated island of Madagascar because it was free of any natural predators for millions of years. During this time the species evolved into many different sub-species. Once humans arrived about 2000 years ago, the lemurs situation changed radically. Naturally gentle and curious creatures, they were
easy targets for hunters, poachers and farmers, who considered certain lemurs pests. Other inhabitants were afraid of them, believed lemurs were “ungodly” creatures because of their odd appearance and their huge eyes. The Aye-Aye has been particularly vulnerable to such persecution and is still indecriminently killed by the Malagasy.
Within a matter of a few hundred years over 14 sub-species have been hunted to extinction or have disappeared due to loss of natural habitat. Another 30 species are in growing peril because of the rapid deforestation of the island and because many species that live outside protected areas are still being hunted and killed. Conservationists are watching the lemurs’ situation closely. But many of these odd and sometimes bizarre-looking creatures that call the tropical island of Madagascar their home remain on the critically endangered species list.
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