lemurs

Lemurs are a diverse group of small to medium-sized primates in the suborder Strepsirrhini, endemic to Madagascar and nearby islands. They form a clade known as Lemuriformes and include nearly 100 living species distributed among five families: Cheirogaleidae (dwarf and mouse lemurs), Lemuridae (true lemurs), Lepilemuridae (sportive lemurs), Indriidae (indri, sifakas, woolly lemurs), and Daubentoniidae (aye-aye). Madagascar’s long isolation has produced high endemism and remarkable ecological and morphological diversity within lemurs.

Lemurs share typical strepsirrhine traits, such as a moist nose (rhinarium), eyes with a tapetum lucidum, a toothcomb, and a grooming claw. They range in size from tiny mouse lemurs weighing under 100 grams to larger indris weighing several kilograms. Diets are varied, including fruit, leaves, nectar, seeds, and insects, with some species specialized to a particular food type. Activity patterns span nocturnal, diurnal, and cathemeral lifestyles.

They inhabit a range of environments from humid rainforests to dry deciduous forests and scrub. Social systems vary; some species are solitary or live in small groups, others form structured social groups, and some, like the indri, live in family-based units. Reproduction is often seasonal and aligned with food availability; females typically give birth to a single offspring per cycle, though twins occur in some species, and parental care lasts for several weeks to months.

Conservation status is of concern: many lemur species are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and climate change. Efforts include protected-area networks, habitat restoration, and community-based conservation programs, alongside research and ecotourism initiatives.