lemur

Lemur is a primate belonging to the clade Lemuriformes, a group of strepsirrhine primates endemic to Madagascar and nearby islands. About 100 recognized species are distributed across several families, including Cheirogaleidae (mouse and dwarf lemurs), Lemuridae (true lemurs), Indriidae (indri, sifakas, woolly lemurs), and Lepilemuridae (sportive lemurs). They range in size from tiny mouse lemurs weighing under 100 grams to larger species such as the ring-tailed lemur, which can reach about 1 kilogram, and some indriids that are much larger.

Lemurs share characteristic features of strepsirrhine primates, such as a moist nose (rhinarium), a toothcomb for grooming, and a grooming claw. Many species have large eyes adapted to nocturnal activity, though several are diurnal. They typically use vertical clinging and leaping as their primary locomotion, and most possess tails that vary in length and function among species. Olfactory communication and scent marking are common, and vocalizations play a major role in social interactions.

Ecology and diet vary widely. Lemurs are generally omnivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, flowers, nectar, and insects, with some species specializing in particular foods or using sap and resin. Social organization ranges from solitary to complex multi-male/multi-female groups; mating systems and breeding seasons differ by species, with some giving birth to twins in a single year and others producing a single offspring.

Conservation status is a major concern: habitat loss, fragmentation, hunting, and the pet trade threaten many lemur species. IUCN assessments place numerous lemurs in endangered or critically endangered categories, making Madagascar’s lemur populations a focal point for biodiversity conservation.