Lemurs are interesting and rare animals. To date, about a hundred species of these animals are known.
Lemurs are small-sized animals. But each species can vary in size and weight. So, for example, dwarf lemur weighs only a little more than fifty grams. Most of the body of lemurs is occupied by a long tail. The body itself has an oblong shape. In addition, animals have small ears and eyes. On the paws of lemurs claws grow, which are used by animals to care for their hair. Their coat is quite short, but thick. Lemurs have a beautiful color. In most cases, several colors are present in the fur of animals.
Lemur habitat
These animals live only in the forests of the island of Madagascar. Also, they easily move along the mountain cliffs, without causing any harm to their health.
Lemur lifestyle
Interestingly, the lifestyle of small and large individuals is very different. Small individuals of lemurs lead a mostly lonely lifestyle. They are very shy and active mainly at night. Moreover, at a time when the Lemurs lack food, they begin a period of stupor, which lasts several months. The food of the beast in this period is carried out due to the adipose tissue stored earlier. Large individuals, on the contrary, live in small groups and behave more relaxed in the daytime.
In small groups of these animals, females often take the main role. This is not to say that these animals are aggressive animals.Living in groups, they very often look after each other. In addition, these animals can make various sounds, but their facial expressions are poorly developed.
Little lemurs move very quickly along tree branches. Their long tail serves as an excellent ballast for jumping. Big lemurs also move well in the trees. But moving around the earth is much easier for them. In addition, these animals love to bask in the sun. Lemurs sleep, curled up in a ball or hanging on a branch.
Lemur Nutrition
The nutrition of these animals consists mainly of plant food - branches and leaves of trees. But they also love various fruits, sometimes they eat tree bark. Lemurs can diversify the diet by eating insects or bird eggs.
Lemurs are pregnant for several months. After that, two or three cubs are born in the female. Children are very small. After birth, they grab their paws on the mother’s coat and move to her back. Breast milk feeding lasts several months. It is interesting that the cubs grow up very early and begin an independent life - about a year after birth. The average lifespan of lemurs is twenty-five years.
The main danger to these small animals is the hawks that hunt them.
Unfortunately, this species of beautiful animals is on the verge of extinction. This is especially true for the tiny species of lemurs, which are active mainly at night. Because of this, it is very difficult to calculate their numbers.Indeed, in the homeland of animals - Madagascar, active destruction of the forest is underway, and in other places these animals simply can not live. Therefore, they are carefully guarded and were listed in the Red Book. But for this, these animals coexist beautifully in captivity and can even breed there. Therefore, lemurs can often be found in zoos and other reserves.
