Eulemur macaco (Black Lemur): Difference between revisions
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The black lemur is a cathemeral [[Primate]] that has a head body length of approximately 39 – 45 cm and a tail length of around 50-65 cm<ref name="Fleagle">{{cite book|title=Primate Adaptation and Evolution|accessdate=|author=J. Fleagle|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=1998 |format= |work= |publisher=Academic Press: New York|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Szalay">{{cite book |title=Evolutionary History of the Primates|accessdate=|author=F. Szalay and E. Delson|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2001 |format= |work= |publisher=Academic Press, New York|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Mittermeier">{{cite book|title=Lemurs of Madagascar|accessdate=|author=Mittermeier et al.|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2006 |format= |work= |publisher=Conservation International|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>. Weight ranges between approximately 3 and 3.5 kg<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. Males are typically dark chocolate brown to black, while females have golden-brown to chesnut colored backs and light colored bellies. The female's face is grey to black, the crown a darker grey and the ears white tuffed <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. The eyes of both sexes are orange <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. | The black lemur is a cathemeral [[Primate]] that has a head body length of approximately 39 – 45 cm and a tail length of around 50-65 cm<ref name="Fleagle">{{cite book|title=Primate Adaptation and Evolution|accessdate=|author=J. Fleagle|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=1998 |format= |work= |publisher=Academic Press: New York|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Szalay">{{cite book |title=Evolutionary History of the Primates|accessdate=|author=F. Szalay and E. Delson|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2001 |format= |work= |publisher=Academic Press, New York|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Mittermeier">{{cite book|title=Lemurs of Madagascar|accessdate=|author=Mittermeier et al.|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2006 |format= |work= |publisher=Conservation International|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>. Weight ranges between approximately 3 and 3.5 kg<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. Males are typically dark chocolate brown to black, while females have golden-brown to chesnut colored backs and light colored bellies. The female's face is grey to black, the crown a darker grey and the ears white tuffed <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. The eyes of both sexes are orange <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. | ||
[[Image:black lemurs.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A male and female black lemur at night. Black lemurs are cathemeral and are | [[Image:black lemurs.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A male and female black lemur at night. Black lemurs are cathemeral and are highly active in both the day and night{{photo|Lee R. Berger}}]] | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
Revision as of 06:24, 9 July 2008
The black lemur Eulemur macaco macaco, a so called "true lemur", is a medium-sized quadrupedal Lemur. In the wild, it is found only on the island of Madagascar and small islands of the Northeast coast.
Description
The black lemur is a cathemeral Primate that has a head body length of approximately 39 – 45 cm and a tail length of around 50-65 cm[1][2][3]. Weight ranges between approximately 3 and 3.5 kg[3]. Males are typically dark chocolate brown to black, while females have golden-brown to chesnut colored backs and light colored bellies. The female's face is grey to black, the crown a darker grey and the ears white tuffed [3]. The eyes of both sexes are orange [3].
Behaviour
The black lemur is highly adaptable to different habitats and group sizes range from 2 to 15 [3]. Females give birth to typically a single young usually between September and November[3].
Diet
It is highly frugiverous but also eats seeds, leaves and nectar [2][3].
Geographical distribution
The black lemur may be found in tropical moist lowland and montane forested areas of northwestern Madagascar and on islands around Nosy Be[3].
Status
The black lemur is considered to be endangered by the IUCN.