KINGDOM: Animalia
PHYLUM: Chordata
CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Primates
FAMILY: Lemuridae
GENUS SPECIES: Lemur catta (ringtailed); Lemur fulvus (brown); Lemur macaco(black); Lemur mongoz (mongoose); Lemur coronatus (crowned);Lemur rubriventer (red-bellied)


DESCRIPTION: Active, tree-dwelling primates with cat like nose and whiskers; fur is soft and coloration varies from reddish brown to gray and black. Also called prosimians, which means "before apes." Lemurs maintain primitive primate features such as a small brain case and a prominent nose.
SIZE: head and body length: 12.5-70 cm (4-27.5 in.); tail length: 5-15.5 cm (2-6.1 in.)
WEIGHT: 0.5-3 kg (1.1-6.6 lb.)
DIET: Predominantly vegetation such as flowers, fruit, and leaves; occasionally insects and small vertebrates
GESTATION: 2-5 months; 1-4 young per birth
SEXUAL MATURITY: 14-15 months old
LIFE SPAN: 18 years or older
RANGE: Madagascar (specific ranges vary according to species)
HABITAT: Tropical rain forest and dry thornbrush
STATUS: IUCN Not listed
CITES Protected
USFWS Endangered


3. These prosimians are quite social and the troops have clearly defined male and female hierarchies.
5. The lemur's thick bushy tail serves as a visual signal when it's threatened or as a balancing tool when it leaps through the trees.





Macdonald, D. (ed.) The Emcyclopedia of Mammals. Vol. 1. London: Equinox Ltd., 1984.

Nowak, R. Walker's Mammals of the World. Vol. 1. London: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991.

