White-Fronted Brown Lemur (Eulemur fulvus albifrons)
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Distribution
Behaviour
Reproduction
Appearance
Social Structure
Diet
Activity Period
Predators
Conservation Status
Threats
White-Fronted Brown Lemurs at the Zoo
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Distribution
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Madagascar, Eastern Rainforest
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Behaviour
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Of the six different subspecies of brown lemur, the white-fronted is certainly one of the most attractive. It is now thought that the brown lemur species play an important role in seed dispersal. In areas without brown lemurs the forest is no longer able to regenerate. These lemurs have the ability to eat and then excrete large seeds sometimes over half an inch wide which are produced by several tree species.
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Reproduction
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Like the ring-tailed lemur one baby at a time is usual with the baby clinging under the mother's belly to start off and then riding around on her back as it gets older and stronger. Mating normally occurs in June and July and gestation (pregnancy) lasts about 17 weeks. The young are fully independent at 1 year old and sexually mature at about 2 years old.
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Appearance
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On both sexes the backs, arms, legs and tails are dark brown/grey with the undersides a dark grey. They both have dark muzzles but the females lack the bushy, almost ruff-like appearance of the males. Both sexes possess stunning dark amber eyes. Colouration around the face is strikingly different between the sexes. Females have a brown/grey face while the males have a white mask and bib making it easy to tell them apart. This is called sexual dimorphism.
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Social Structure
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Very little field work has been carried out with this particular species so the average group size is uncertain but is thought to be around 7-10. Females are dominant to males and get first choice of food.
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Diet
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Primarily fruit and leaves, supplemented with nectar. Poisonous millipedes and caterpillars are also a favourite
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Activity Period
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Cathemeral, meaning that they are active for brief periods throughout the day and night.
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Predators
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Large snakes and fossas when visiting the ground and lower levels of the trees.
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Conservation Status
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IUCN Red List: Least Concern
CITES: Appendix 1, no hunting or trade allowed
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Threats
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Habitat destruction - deforestation for the timber trade, forest clearance to provide farmland and soil erosion due to slash and burn agriculture techniques.
Hunting - for food, fur and the local pet trade
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White-Fronted Brown Lemurs available for adoption
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Alexandra, Bella, Isabella, Mork back to top
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