What are lemurs ?

Lemurs are one of the most well known of the Malagasy mammalian species. They are also amongst the most primitive of living primates. The study of lemurs allows scientists to learn all about primates life-story traits, behaviors, and ecological evolution. Many species of lemurs have been found during the two last decades.

There are 110 species of lemurs in Madagascar. 63 per cent are threatened with extinction. 16 species of lemur species had disappeared during the past 2000 years. New species of lemurs are also being discovered. Recently, scientists have discovered the following list: thee Microcebus Sambiranensis, the Microcebus Barthae, the Microcebus Lehilahitsara, the Microcebus Tavaratra, the Microcebus Ravelobenis, the Cheriogaleus Minisculus, the Cheriogaleus Ravus, Mirza Zaza, and the Avahi Cleesei.

Lemurs are widely found in the rainforests and the dry forest of Madagascar but some species remain difficult to observe, like the Aye-Aye for example, which is found only in few distinct locations.

The largest of all lemurs is the Indri Indri
Head-body length: 64 to 72 cm
Tail: 5 cm
Weight: 6 kg to 9.5 kg

The smallest is the Microcebus:
Head-body size: between 12 and 16 cm
Total size including the tail: 24 to 30 cm
Weight: 40 to 90 g

The lemur of Madagascar is the only one with top highest primate conservation priority in the world. Its very high species diversity and its endemism at the species, genus and family level is merely unparalleled anywhere else, and this is all the more impressive given its relatively tiny surface compared to the other three landmasses where primates live. It is undeniable that Madagascar is so important for primates that it is considered one of the four biggest biogeographic regions for primates, together with South and Central America, mainland Africa, and Asia. At 581,540 km2, Madagascar’s total land area is only about 7% that of Brazil, the world’s richest country for primates, and yet its primate diversity is comparable and its endemism much higher.Above that, given that only 10% of Madagascar’s land area remains as proper primate habitat, the high concentration of unique species, genera, and families in a tiny area becomes even more extreme.