scientific name

Lemur catta

size/height/weight

Height: 15 - 18"
Tail Length: 22 - 25"
Weight: 5 - 7.5 lbs.

adaptations/coloration

Digits: end in pads • have nails (except 2nd toe - has grooming claw)
Eyes: forward facing • binocular vision (as with all other primates)
Feet, Soles &Palms: long • smooth • leathery • good grip on slippery rocks
Legs: hindlegs longest

behavior

diurnal
Group: 15-30
Family: social
Females: dominant
Scent Glands: smear tails with secretions & wave at opponents during ritual fights (male only)
Territory: well-defined • don't overlap
Travel: on ground (unusual for lemurs)

reproduction/lifespan

Lifespan: max 18 yrs
Maturity: male 18 months • female 30 months
Gestation: 135 days
Birth: 1 • twins unusual • independent at 6 months

diet

Wild: flowers, fruit & leaves
Zoo: Monkey Chow, fruit & vegetables

habitat/range

deciduous forest • scrubby areas • unique to Madagascar (endemic) • evolved when Madagascar separated from Africa leaving few competitors/predators • different from other African primates

status

U.S. Endangered • CITES App I • due to habitat destruction • SSP

other

lemur means "ghost" in native language of Madagascar • lemurs are prosimians (primitive primate)