Isle of Wight Zoo

Black Lemurs (Eulemur macaco macaco)

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Distribution
Behaviour
Reproduction
Appearance
Social Structure
Diet
Activity Period
Predators
Conservation Status
Threats
Black Lemurs at the Zoo

Distribution Madagascar, North-Western Forests

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Behaviour The Black Lemur can only be found in the evergreen forests far up in northwest Madagascar and on the neighbouring islands of Nosy Be and Nosy Komba. Like the brown lemurs they have been found to be important ecologically but in an unusual manner as pollinators. The traveller's or ravenella palm has large flowers up to 25 cm long. Black lemurs have been seen using the stems of the leaves and flower bracts as ladders to help them reach up into the flowers for the nectar. The pollen is then transferred via their nose as they move from one bloom to another.

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Reproduction The black lemurs breeding season is from April to June. Gestation (pregnancy) normally lasts about 18 weeks and typically 1 young is produced per year. The offspring are fed milk and carried by the mother for about 26 weeks and will be fully independent at 1 year old. They become sexually mature adults at 2 years old.

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Appearance The males are completely black, with spectacular tufts around their ears which frame the face. The females have brown/grey bodies, brown faces and white ear tufts. They are the smallest species we have here weighing only 2.5 Kg and reaching 96cm in length from nose to tip of tail.

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Social Structure Group size averages around 7 to 10 individuals, sometimes with more males than females plus a few young. The females are dominant to the males.

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Diet Flowers, leaves, ripe fruit, nectar and some insects.

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Activity Period Cathemeral, meaning that they are active for brief periods throughout the day and night. They are more active at night around the full moon.

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Predators Large snakes and fossas when visiting the ground and lower levels of the trees.

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Conservation Status IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

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Threats Habitat destruction - deforestation to create large scale plantations and subsistence farms.
Hunting - for food and the local pet trade.
Persecution - sadly these lemurs are often chased and killed by farmers for raiding their crops.

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Black Lemurs available for adoption Aprily

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 Black Lemurs