Lemurs
White-headed Brown Lemur
The White-headed Lemur (Eulemur albifrons), also known as the White-fronted Brown Lemur, is a species of primate in the Lemuridae family. It is only found in north-eastern Madagascar. It is arboreal and are usually found in rainforest tree tops.
Physical characteristics
The White Headed Lemur is a medium-sized lemur and has a horizontal posture, which is suited to its way of movement. It has a long furry tail assisting it in maintaining its balance as it lands from leaping at a considerable distance. 
Males have gray-brown upper parts, with darker lower limbs and tail, paler gray upper parts, gray head and face and a darker crown. Females have redder-brown upper parts, paler underparts and darker feet than males. The cheeks and beards are white, bushy and pronounced in males, reddish-brown and less bushy in females. The head, face and muzzle of the female are dark gray, but without the bushy cheeks of the male. The White-headed Lemur has an average body weight of 2.3 kg, and body length of 40 cm, and its tail can grow up to 50 cm.
It is likely that, as with other lemurs in the genus family, the maximum lifespan in the wild ranges between 20 and 25 years. In captivity it can live up to 36 years.
The species was previously classified as Eulemur fulvus albifrons, a subspecies of the Common Brown Lemur, and although very similar in appearance genetic analysis supports distinct species status.
Habitat and range
This lemur is mostly found in moist lowland and montane rainforests. The White-headed Lemur is arboreal and spends most of its time in the upper layers of the forest. It is only found in north-eastern Madagascar.
Behaviour and mating
This species is cathemeral, meaning it is active at varying times throughout the day and night. It has an omnivorous diet consisting of fruit, mature leaves, flowers, bark, sap, soil, insects, centipedes and millipedes.
The mating system of this lemur has not been reported. However, other species in the genus Eulemur are either monogamous or polygynous. It is likely that the White-headed Lemur is similar. For the first three weeks of its life, a young lemur hangs onto its mother's belly, altering its grasp only to nurse. After three weeks have passed, it shifts and rides on the mother's back. It then starts to take its first steps. Following this, it starts to sample solid food, nibbling on whatever the other members of the group happen to be eating. This is its first sign of independence. Nursing continues but its importance in the infant's diet tapers. The young lemur is weaned after approximately 4 to 6 months - usually by January.
Unlike other members of the genus, females are not usually dominant to males, so the degree to which females exert active mate choice is not known. It forms multi-male multi-female groups. Depending on the population, the size of these groups can vary, possibly including up to 40 individuals.
Status
Eulemur albifrons is classified as lower risk/near threatened on the IUCN Red List in 2004, although it is classified there as a subspecies (Eulemur fulvus albifrons) of the Common Brown Lemur.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBlack Lemur
The Black Lemur (Eulemur macaco) is a species of lemur from the family Lemuridae. Like all lemurs, it is endemic to Madagascar. Originally, the species was thought to have two subspecies, Eulemur macaco macaco and Eulemur macaco flavifrons, both of which were elevated to species status by Mittermeier et al. in 2008 to Eulemur macaco and Eulemur flavifons respectively.
Sclater's Lemur E. flavifrons has blue eyes, the only primate other than humans which has blue eyes, while E. macaco has brown or orange eyes, and ear tufts.
Both species live in northwest Madagascar. E. macaco occurs in moist forests in the Sambirano region of Madagascar and on nearby islands. E. flavifrons is restricted to the Sahamalaza Pennisula and adjacent forests. There are reports of the two species hybridizing where their ranges overlap in Manongarivo Special Reserve.
Physical description
The Black Lemur is between 90 and 110 centimetes in length, of which 51-65 centimeters are tail. Weight typically ranges between 1.8 and 2.0 kilograms.
The Black Lemur displays sexual dimorphism in coloration. Males have black or dark chocolate fur, while females' fur is of a lighter brown color, generally medium brown, chestnut brown or even orange-brown. Males of E. m. macaco have large black ear tufts, while females of E. m. macaco have large white ear tufts.
The only other Eulemur species that occur within the range of the Black Lemur are the Common Brown Lemur, E. fulvus, which overlaps with E. macacao at the extreme southern and eastern edge of its range, anr the Red-bellied Lemur, E. rubriventer, on the Tsaratanana Massif. E. fulvus and E. rubriventer have different coloration and do not show the extreme sexual dimorphism of E. macaco, making confusion between the Black Lemur and the species unlikely.
Diet
The Black Lemur primarily eats fruit, which makes up an estimated 78% of is diet. The ripeness of this fruit is vital to the lemur's diet. Other foods eaten include flowers, leaves, fungi, some invertebrates and, especially during the dry season, nectar.
Behavior
The Black Lemur lives in both primary and secondary forest. It is active both during the day and at night. It forages in both the upper and middle canopy, especially at night, and during the day it also forages in the understory. In degraded habitats, it also forages on the ground and may even eat soil.
The Black Lemur lives in groups of 2 to 15 members, including approximately equal numbers of males and females. Average group size is about 10 members, although the average may be smaller for E. m. flavifrons. Females are dominant over males, although intragroup fighting is rare.
Groups have home ranges of about 3.5 to 7 hectares. Ranges overlap considerably, and population density can reach 200 individuals per square kilometer.
Reproduction
Mating usually takes place in April and May. During mating season, antagonism between males increases, and males sometimes roam between groups. After a gestation of about 125 days, a single infant is usually born between late August and early October. Females typically give birth for the first time at 2 years of age.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Red Ruffed Lemur
The Red Ruffed Lemur (Varecia rubra) is one of two species in the genus Varecia, the ruffed lemurs; the other is the Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata). Like all lemurs, it is native to Madagascar and occurs only in the rainforests of Masoala, in the northeast of the island. It is one of the largest primates of Madagascar with a body length of 53 cm, a tail length of 60 cm and a weight of 3.5–4 kg. Its soft, thick fur is red and black in colour but a few are known to have a white or pink patch on the back of the neck and a ring on the base of the tail in a similar color.
There is also another species of ruffed lemur that is similar to the Red Ruffed Lemur; the Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur. They both live in the rainforest along the east coast of Madagascar, but they don't associate with each other.
Physical characteristics
The Red Ruffed Lemur weighs 3.5-4 kg. It is about 53 cm long, with a 60 cm tail. Females are slightly larger than males.
As its name would suggest, it has a rust-colored ruff and body. Its head, stomach, tail, feet, and the insides of its legs are black. It has a white patch on the back of its neck, and may also have white markings on its feet or mouth.
Behavior
The Red Ruffed Lemur is a very clean animal and spends a lot of time grooming itself and each other. The lower incisors (front teeth) and the claw on the second toe of the hind foot are specially adapted for this behavior. The lower incisors grow forward in line with each other and are slightly spaced. This creates a toothcomb which can be used to groom its long, soft fur. The claw is also used for grooming.
The Red Ruffed Lemur lives 15–20 years in the wild. In captivity, 25 years is not uncommon, and one lived to be about 33 years old. It is a diurnal animal, and most active in the morning and evening.
Social systems
This prosimian typically lives in small, matriarchal groups of 2-16 individuals, but group sizes of up to 32 have been recorded. Its diet consists primarily of fruit, nectar, and pollen. Leaves and seeds may be eaten when fruit becomes scarce.
Breeding and reproduction
Unlike all other diurnal primates, females build nests 10-20 meters above the forest floor, made with twigs, leaves, vines, and fur. Like all lemurs, and many Madagascan mammals, it has a fixed breeding season which takes place towards the end of the dry season (May to July). This is so the young can be born in the wet season when more food is available. Ruffed lemurs are also the only primates with litters of young, and, after a gestation period of 102 days, the female may give birth to up to six, although two or three is more typical. Newborns have fur and can see, but as they are immobile, the female leaves them in the nest until they are seven weeks old. Weaning occurs at four months. It is estimated that 65% of young do not reach three months of age, and often die by falling from the trees.
Diet
The Red Ruffed Lemur is mainly a fruit-eater, though it is known to eat leaves and shoots.
Communication
The Duke Lemur Center has recorded about twelve different calls. The Red Ruffed Lemur and Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur understand each other's calls, despite living in different parts of Madagascar. Scent marking is also an important means of communication.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List considers the Red Ruffed Lemur to be endangered, listing habitat loss, hunting, and the pet trade as primary threats. The creation of the Masoala National Park in 1997 has helped protect this species, but many Red Ruffed Lemurs do not live within the park's boundaries, and are still at high risk.
The exact status of the Red Ruffed Lemur in the wild is not fully known, but recent studies show that they are endangered with a declining wild population. At present, there are over 200 Ruffed Lemurs in 42 different zoos worldwide. Several of these zoos work with each other in breeding and caring for the captive population. To prevent inbreeding, wild caught animals have been introduced to the captive breeding program.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia