Lemur who is an order of primate and who is an endangered species is endemic to the island of Madagascar,

And they are a class of mammalia. Today there are nearly 100 species of lemurs currently recognised ( most of those species were discovered or promoted to full species status since the 1990s ).

More than 15 species have disappeared because of the destruction of their environment : the forest. They have disappeared about 1500 years ago, date when the first men came in Madagascar ( the original country of all lemurs ). Examples : the biggest lemur that ever lived : the Archaeoindris ( from 160 to ... 200 Kg ), the Babakotia & the Megaladapis ( from 40 to 80 Kg ).

Living lemurs range in size from 30 g ( the mouse lemur, the smallest ) to 9 kg ( the Indri Indri teddy-like lemur, the biggest ). Lemurs are generally the most social of primates. Lemurs communicate more with scents and vocalizations than with visual signals.

 

 

Lemurs are vegetarian,
Lemurs eat in general fruits and leaves,

Most lemur species excluding some of the indris, predominantly eat fruit ( frugivory ) when available. The lemur diet is dominated by fruit from Ficus ( fig ) species. In many anthropoid primates, fruit is a primary source of vitamin C.

Inflorescences ( clusters of flowers ) of at least 60 plant families are eaten by lemurs ranging in size from the tiny mouse lemurs to the relatively large ruffed lemurs. If the flowers are not exploited, sometimes the nectar is consumed ( nectarivory ) along with the pollen ( palynivory ).

Bark and plant exudates such as tree sap are consumed by a few lemur species. Only the Masoala Fork-marked Lemur ( Phaner furcifer ) and Coquerel's Giant Mouse Lemur regularly consume tree sap. Bark has never been reported as an important food item in lemur diets, but at least four species eat it : the Aye-aye, the Red-tailed Sportive Lemur ( Lepilemur ruficaudatus ), the Common Brown Lemur ( Eulemur fulvus ), and Verreaux's Sifaka ( Propithecus verreauxi ).

Soil consumption has also been reported and likely helps with digestion, provides minerals and salts, and helps absorb toxins. Sifakas have been observed eating soil from termite mounds, possibly adding beneficial intestinal flora to aid the digestion of cellulose from their folivorous diet.

 

 

Lemur behavior, lemur social systems are as variable as lemur morphology,

Differences in diet, social systems, activity patterns, locomotion, communication, predator avoidance tactics, breeding systems, and intelligence levels help define lemur taxa and set individual species apart from the rest. Although trends frequently distinguish the smaller, nocturnal lemurs from the larger, diurnal lemurs.

Some lemurs are nocturnal, others are diurnal & others are crepuscular. Some lemurs live in tropical lowland rainforest, others live in montane rainforest ( up to 800 m of altitude ) & others live in deciduous forest or in the South spiny bushes.

All lemurs spend most of their time in the trees except the Ringtailed lemur ( Lemur catta ) which spend most of its time on the ground. The females of lemurs carry their babies with them. Lemurs use their voices, their leggs & their smells to communicate between them. Some of them use their 4 leggs for locomotion but others use acrobatic leaps from tree to tree & use only their two hind leggs with a vertical position when they are on the ground.

Lemurs are social and live in groups that usually include less than 15 individuals. Observed social organization patterns include " solitary but social ", " fission-fusion ", " pair bonds ", and " multi-male group ". For some lemurs, females stay within their natal range and the males migrate upon reaching maturity, and in other species both sexes will migrate.

Like other primates, lemurs groom socially to ease tensions and solidify relationships. They groom in greeting, when waking up, when settling in for sleep, between mother and infant, in juvenile relations, and for sexual advances. Lemurs groom with their tongue.

The presence of female social dominance sets lemurs apart from most other primates and mammals. However, many Eulemur species are exceptions and the Greater Bamboo Lemur ( Prolemur simus ) does not exhibit female dominance.

 

Lemur's wildlife predator avoidance

All lemurs experience some predation pressure. Common defenses against predation include the use of alarm calls and predator mobbing, mostly among diurnal lemurs. Diurnal lemurs are visible during the day, so many live in groups, where the increased number of eyes and ears helps aid in predator detection. Diurnal lemurs use and respond to alarm calls, even those of other lemur species and non-predatory birds.

Nocturnal lemurs are difficult to see and track at night and decrease their visibility by foraging alone. They also try to avoid predators by using concealing sleeping locations, such as nests, tree holes, or dense vegetation, and alternating between multiple sleeping locations. Infants are protected while foraging by either leaving them in the nest or by stashing them in a hidden location, where the infant remains immobile in the absence of the parent.

The Fosa ( the biggest of Malagasy carnivorous = Cryptoprocta ferox ) and the Madagascar Harrier-hawk ( Polyboroides radiatus ) are predators of many lemur species. Other predators are the Madagascar Buzzard ( Buteo brachypterus ), diurnal birds of prey, owls, feral cats, domestic dogs, snakes, crocodiles, and ... human beings.

II- Family Lepilemuridae ( Sportive Lemurs ) :

They are too nocturnal & they live in the trees like the Cheirogalidae, precisely in trees holes & cavities ( for example in Didieraceae forest - in the South part of Madagascar such as Andohahela National Park ). These lemurs eat leaves, flowers, fruits & barks.

31- Lepilemur mustelinus 32- Lepilemur microdon 33- Lepilemur septentrionalis 34- Lepilemur ruficaudatus 35- Lepilemur dorsalis 36- Lepilemur edwardsi 37- Lepilemur leucopus 38- Lepilemur betsileo 39- Lepilemur jamesi 40- Lepilemur wrighti 41- Lepilemur fleuretae 42- Lepilemur seali 43- Lepilemur milanoii 44- Lepilemur ankaranensis 45- Lepilemur tymerlachsoni 46- Lepilemur mittermeieri 47- Lepilemur sahamalazensis 48- Lepilemur grewcocki 49- Lepilemur aeeclis 50- Lepilemur ahmansoni 51- Lepilemur randrianasoli 52- Lepilemur hubbardi 53- Lepilemur petteri

Weasel sportive lemur Small-toothed sportive lemur Northern sportive lemur Red-tailed sportive lemur Grey-backed sportive lemur Milne-Edward's sportive lemur White-footed sportive lemur Betsileo sportive lemur James' sportive lemur Wright's sportive lemur Fleurete's sportive lemur Seal's sportive lemur Daraina sportive lemur Ankarana sportive lemur Hawk's sportive lemur Mittermeier's sportive lemur Sahamalaza sportive lemur Grewcock's sportive lemur Red-shouldered sportive lemur Ahmanson's sportive lemur Randrianasolo sportive lemur Hubbard's sportive lemur Petter's sportive lemur

Lépilémur Lépilemur aux petites dents Lépilémur du Nord Lépilemur à queue rousse Lépilemur à dos gris Lépilemur de Milne Edward Lépilemur à patte blanche Lépilemur du Betsileo Lépilemur de James Lépilemur de Wright Lépilemur de Fleurete Lépilemur de Seal Lépilemur du Daraina Lépilemur de l'Ankarana Lépilemur de Mittermeier Lépilemur de Sahamalaza Lépilemur de Grewcock Lépilemur de Ahmanson Lépilemur de Randrianasolo Lépilemur de Hubbard Lépilemur de Petter

 

 

 

 

III- Family Daubentoniidae ( Aye-Aye lemur ) :

This family is too exclusively nocturnal. It's the most archaic of lemur

54- Daubentonia madagascariensis

Aye aye

Aye aye

 

 

 

IV- Family Indriidae ( Indri Lemurs, Woolly-Avahi Lemurs and Sifaka Lemurs ) : These are those which use only their 2 hind leggs with a vertical position when they are on the ground & they do acrobatic leaps from tree to tree. These lemurs are diurnal except the woolly lemur ; they eat leaves & fruits. Many of the larger lemur species consume leaves ( folivory ), particularly among the indris. However woolly lemurs ( genus Avahi ) primarily eat leaves, making them the smallest primates that do so. Collectively, lemurs have been documented consuming leaves from at least 82 native plant families and 15 alien plant families. Lemurs tend to be selective in their consumption of the part of the leaf or shoot as well as its age. Often, young leaves are preferred over mature leaves.

55- Indri indri 56- Avahi laniger 57- Avahi occidentalis 58- Propithecus tattersalli 59- Propithecus verreauxi 60- Propithecus diadema 61- Avahi unicolor 62- Avahi cleesei 63- Propithecus edwardsi 64- Propithecus candidus 65- Propithecus perrieri 66- Propithecus coquereli 67- Propithecus deckeni 68- Propithecus coronatus

Black & white teddy-like lemur Eastern avahi Western avahi Golden-crowned sifaka Verreaux's sifaka Diademed sifaka Sambirano avahi Cleese's avahi Milne-Edwards's sifaka Silky sifaka Perrier's sifaka Coquerel's sifaka Decken's sifaka Crowned sifaka

Indri Avahi laimeux oriental Avahi laineux occidental Propithèque de Tattersall Propithèque de Verreaux Propithèque à diadème Avahi laineux du Sambirano Avahi laineux de Cleese Propithèque de Milne-Ed. Propithèque de Perrier Propithèque de Coquerel Propithèque de Decken Propithèque couronné

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example of day-lemurs : the Sifaka & the brown lemur
Example of nocturnal-lemurs : a sportive lemur & a mouse lemur
Kirindy deciduous seasonally dry forest - Ravo.Madagascar 2019 ©

V- Family Lemuridae ( True Lemurs : Subfamily Lemurinae And Bamboo Lemurs = Gentle Lemurs : Subfamily Hapalemurinae ) : True Lemurs eat leaves & fruits & they are diurnal. These lemurs spend their time in the trees. The most known are : the Lemur fulvus ( Brown lemur or Rufous lemur - With all its sub species such as the Lemur fulvus fulvus, the Lemur fulvus rufus & the Lemur fulvus albifrons ), the Varecia variegata ( Black & white ruffed lemur - in the East coast of Madagascar ) and the Lemur catta ( Ringtailed lemur ). Lemurs that do not exhibit dormancy conserve energy by selecting thermoregulated microhabitats ( such as tree holes ), sharing nests, and reducing exposed body surfaces. Also, the Ring-tailed Lemur and ruffed lemurs are commonly seen sunning, thus using solar radiation to warm their bodies instead of metabolic heat. Ruffed lemurs have been shown to live in " fission-fusion " societies. Lemur calls can be very loud and carry long distances. Ruffed lemurs use several loud calls that can be heard up to 1 km away. Olfaction is particularly important to lemurs. Olfaction can communicate information about age, sex, reproductive status, as well as demarcate the boundaries of a territory. Larger, diurnal lemur species use for this olfaction scent glands located on various parts of their anatomy.

69- Eulemur mongoz 70- Eulemur macaco 71- Eulemur fulvus 72- Eulemur rubriventer 73- Eulemur coronatus 74- Varecia variegata 75- Varecia rubra 76- Lemur catta 77- Hapalemur griseus 78- Hapalemur simus 79- Hapalemur aureus 80- Hapalemur occidentalis 81- Hapalemur meridionalis 82- Hapalemur alaotrensis 83- Eulemur sanfordi 84- Eulemur albifrons 85- Eulemur rufus 86- Eulemur albocollaris 87- Eulemur collaris 88- Eulemur macaco flavifrons

Mongoose lemur Black lemur Common brown lemur Red-bellied lemur Crowned lemur Black & white ruffed lemur Red ruffed lemur Ringtailed lemur Eastern grey bamboo lemur Greater bamboo lemur Golden bamboo lemur Western grey bamboo lemur Southern grey bamboo lemur Alaotra reed lemur Sanford's brown lemur White-fronted brown lemur Red-fronted brown lemur White-collared brown lemur Collared brown lemur Blue-eyed black lemur

Lémur mongoz Lémur macaco Lémur brun Lémur à ventre rouge Lémur couronné Lémur vari Vari roux Maki Petit hapalemur de l'Est Grand hapalemur Hapalemur doré Petit hapalemur Ouest Petit hapalemur du Sud Hapalemur de l'Alaotra Lémur brun de Sanford Lémur brun au front blanc Lémur brun FrontRouge Lémur macaco yeuxBleu

Contributor :
Nick Garbutt ( 2007 author ),
National Geographic,
Africa Geographic & BBC Wildlife.
Thanks alot to Dr. Mary Lou Pelaprat
from International Organization for Standardization

Black Lemur - Ravo 2013 ©
Black and White Ruffed Lemur
Robert Morgan 2003

 

 

 

 

 

How did Lemurs evolved ? The supercontinent Gondwana Once part of the supercontinent Gondwana, the island of Madagascar has been isolated since it broke away from eastern Africa ( ~160 mya ), Antarctica ( ~80–130 mya ), and India ( ~90 mya ). Ancestral lemurs are thought to have originated in Africa approximately 62 to 65 mya, they would have had to have crossed the Mozambique Channel. In 1915, paleontologist William Diller Matthew noted that the mammalian biodiversity on Madagascar ( including lemurs ) can only be accounted for by random rafting events, where very small populations rafted from nearby Africa on tangled mats of vegetation, which get flushed out to sea from major rivers. In the 1940s, American paleontologist George Gaylord Simpson coined the term " sweepstakes hypothesis " for such random events. Rafting has since been the most accepted explanation for the lemur colonization of Madagascar. Isolated on Madagascar with only a limited number of mammalian competitors, the lemurs did not have to compete with other evolving arboreal mammalian groups. They were spared from having to compete with monkeys, which evolved later. The intelligence, aggression, and deceptiveness of monkeys gave them an advantage over other primates in exploiting the environment. From approximately 1500 years ago until now - The subfossil lemurs Before the arrival of humans roughly 1500 years ago, lemurs were found all across the island. However, early settlers quickly converted the forests to rice paddies and grassland through slash-and-burn agriculture ( known locally as " tavy " ), restricting lemurs to approximately 10 % of the island's area. Habitat destruction and hunting have forced lemur populations to decline sharply, and their diversity has diminished, with the recent extinction of at least 17 species in eight genera, known collectively as the subfossil lemurs ( the Archaeoindris , the Babakotia & the Megaladapis ). Most of the approximately 99 species and subspecies of lemur are either threatened or endangered. Unless trends change, extinctions are likely to continue.

 

 

 

Let's take an example :
The « Maky » = the Ringtailed lemur

The roughly 100 species of lemurs have their own habits. For example : some lemurs eat fruits & others eat insects. The Ringtailed lemur is exclusively vegetarian Some lemurs have 2 or 3 babies per year, others have only one per year. The mouse lemur never carries its baby on its back such as most of lemurs, but always with its teeth during 3 years. The Ringtailed lemur is always next to its baby. It has only one baby per year after 4 months and half of gestation. It carries its baby like a belt on its belly. The baby begins to search its food itself at one month. At this time, it begins too to climb a tree. But its mother continues to breastfeed it & to carry it on its back. The baby continues to be carried at the back of its mother until 6 months old. It becomes an adult at one year & half old. The Ringtailed lemur has its first sexual intercourse when it has 3 years old. The Ringtailed lemur behavior and communication are very complicated, They live in a group of 2 to 25 and search their food together ( fruits, flowers, leaves, barks ). The territory of one group is about 6 ha and they use strong smell to defend their own area. Females are the boss in a group. Babies are born in august & september. The Ringtailed lemur can live until 12 years old. Their enemies are falcons ( Madagascar Harrier Hawks ), dogs, cats & the biggest carnivorous in Madagascar ( the Fosa = the Cryptoprocta ferox ). Compared to other mammals, primates in general are very vocal, and lemurs are no exception. Some lemur species have extensive vocal repertoires, including the Ring-tailed Lemur and Ruffed lemurs. Some of the most common calls among lemurs are predator alarm calls. Lemurs will not only respond to alarm calls of their own species, but also alarm calls of other species and those of non-predatory birds. The Ring-tailed Lemur and a few other species have different calls and reactions to specific types of predators. In general, levels of aggression tend to correlate with relative canine height. The Ring-tailed Lemur has long, sharp upper canine teeth in both sexes, so it exhibits high levels of aggression.

 

Just you look a thing with attention
it becomes interesting
( Ors )

 

Just you know and you understand the nature
you will want protect it
( Béatrice Le Métayer )

 

At the top : Decken's sifaka lemur

 

 

Madagascar Tour to see lemurs

 

Madagascar is an island of emotions. Because of its insularity, it kepts its traditions, its habits and customs, its fauna and flora with a high endemic character. I'm pleased to help you and to give you useful advice for a trip in Madagascar, to give you entire satisfaction. With my experience in tourism through Madagascar's National Parks and Reserves since ... 1993 I'm especially capable of providing all kind of travel arrangements. Please feel free to contact me for a customized itinerary ( individual tours, groups, essentials road trip, treks and adventurous trip, in luxury hotels, in tents and bivouac, etc. ).

Madagascar, a nature sanctuary, IS FAMOUS for its lemurs, for its Baobabs, and for its fauna and flora where most of them are endemic, you can not find them anywhere else.   I propose you THE BEST itinerary in just 8-days-tour ( Antananarivo airport - Antananarivo airport ) to see maximum lemurs species including THE VERY RARE Aye Aye nocturnal lemur which you will find in the nature in this Tour, it's an exceptional experience in life, an animal that you will find and take in photos only here in Madagascar.   In this Tour you will see and appreciate two different landscapes : the western dry forest and the eastern evergreen rainforest which is completely different from the first one. With four visits : - Kirindy dry forest (nocturnal and diurnal walks) - The famous Baobabs Avenue at sunset and other baobabs - Andasibe Natural Park (nocturnal and diurnal walks) and - Palmarium lemurs Park. The Tour can be customized for your number of people. Accomodation in extra cost.

D1: Tana - Antsirabe Welcome at Tana airport, change then direct drive to Antsirabe D2: Antsirabe - Kirindy Early morning departure. Kirindy forest wildlife nocturnal walk D3: Kirindy - Morondava Kirindy forest a.m. The sacred baobab, the twins-baobabs and the famous ‘Baobabs Avenue' at sunset D4: Morondava - Antsirabe D5: Antsirabe - Tana - Andasibe Andasibe wildlife nocturnal walk D6: Andasibe - Pangalanes Andasibe Park NP a.m. to see the biggest lemur in the world. Drive and boat to the Pangalanes. Nocturnal walk to see the rare Aye Aye lemur D7: Pangalanes - Andasibe Palmarium lemurs Park a.m. Boat and drive back p.m. D8: Andasibe - Tana Drive back to Tana with a possible direct transfer to Tana airport

 

Price : 1450 Euros for 2 Persons   TAKE WITH YOU : Anti-mosquito spray and cream, pocket torch and spare batteries, head torch if possible, light clothes as well as clothes to keep you warm ( for the nights ), cameras, small good padlocks for your luggage, your personal medicines ( current antibiotics, antidiarrhoea, antiseptics, Betadine, compresses and cotton, purifying tablets, ointment for sprains, lip salve and other personal medicines, protect yourself against malaria, e.g. follow a treatment ) sun cream, sun glasses, walking shoes or closed sports shoes, binoculars, k-way or raincoat, hat or cap, AND cash money = euros.

 

 

I have worked in tourism in my country since ... 1993 till now as tour guide. So ... a lot of experiences ;-) I love my country, Madagascar. I love public relations. I love nature. I love people. I love trips. These passions are what makes me good at my job. Thomas Peters said: « Success at work depends on passion ». I have passionate interest in tourism. And it's a pleasure for me to invite you to visit my wonderful country : Madagascar thank you. For more details thank you to contact me at : Ravo, webmaster of this web site in the middle

 

 

< Common brown lemur - Indri lemur >

 

Clients' Testimonies after their trips in Madagascar :

 

• Erik Segers ( Belgium ) has written in « LinkedIn » :
If you want to discover Madagascar, Ravo is your man to organise your trip from A to Z. Thanks to his deep knowledge and boundless enthusiasm we had a truly first class visit of this wonderful island. Without a doubt, I do recommend, wholeheartedly.

 

• Another person has said, always in « LinkedIn » :
Ravo is an all-round tour guide and entirely devoted to his clients. Ravo will take care of everything, methodically and professionally. It’s with immense pleasure that I will ask him once more to guide me through his magnificent island, Madagascar
( Emmanuel Leborgne - Canada )

Other information about Madagascar : Climate : Madagascar boasts a tropical climate with more than half a year days of sunshine. The rainy season tends to be between December and March with the drier winter months occuring between May and September. There is however a considerable variation of both temperature and rainfall depending on the altitude and latitude. It is therefore possible to experience temperatures ranging from 0° in the highlands to 40° C on the West Coast. Health : Precautions should be taken against Malaria. Cover yourself well with mosquito repellant from dusk onwards and burn coils at night. Drink only bottled water and execrcise basic common sense when selecting restaurants/eating out. Take along a First Aid Kit, as Tana is the only city with a hospital which meets western standards. Travel insurance : It is essential to take out comprehensive medical travel insurance for Madagascar. Language : The most common language is Malagasy of which there are several dialects. French is widely spoken on the island except in the remote country areas. Some English is spoken in the larger cities especially amongst people working in tourism industry. Power : Power supply : 220 volt / European 2 prong plugs. Madagascar Travel Tips : Madagascar has been relatively isolated from the outside world. Consequently it has not been exploited by the effects of mass tourism, thus remaining one of the world's great undeveloped and undiscovered eco-tourism adventure destinations. Madagascar's tourism infrastructure is modest and unsophisticated, this being one of its many charms. Modern facilities are often not available, so having an adventurous spirit, keeping an open mind, and being willing to exercise understanding and patience, will surely assure you of a wonderful experience during your visit to this spectacular island of amazing contrasts. No one who visits the island is left unaffected, either by the warmth and hospitality of the Malagasy people, or the sheer majesty of the island's wilderness.