An animal native to island of Madagascar is explained on Facts about Lemurs. The term lemur was taken from Roman mythology of lemures. The meaning is spirit or ghost. The name was selected because of the slow pace and nocturnal habit of this slender animal. The physical appearance of lemurs reminds the people with the basal primates like galagos, pottos and lorises. Let us check other useful facts about lemurs below
Facts about Lemurs 1: the evolution
Lemurs have unique evolution because Madagascar experiences the highly seasonal climate. The diversity is impressive.
Lemurs Foot
Facts about Lemurs 2: the large lemurs
The size of lemurs was as big as gorilla shortly after human being came to Madagascar dated back 2,000 years ago.
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Facts about Lemurs 3: the species of lemurs
Lemurs have at least 100 species. Since 1990s, most of them have been proposed to have a full species status. Actually, the species concept used by the people will affect the taxonomic classification of lemurs.
Facts about Lemurs 4: the weight of lemurs
The weight of lemurs is around 1.1 oz or 30 grams. The bigger ones may reach 20 lb or 9 kg. That is why it is considered as the smallest primate in the world.
Lemurs Tooth
Facts about Lemurs 5: the common traits
The common traits like the divergent digits on the feet and hands are spotted in lemurs. The traits are spotted in basal primates too.
Facts about Lemurs 6: the unique characteristics of lemurs
The female lemurs have social dominance in the group. The lemurs also perform dormancy like torpor or hibernation. The seasonal breeding is conducted for reproduction. To adapt with the seasonal climate, it has low basal metabolic rate.
Facts about Lemurs
Facts about Lemurs 7: the diet
The common diets for lemurs are leaves and fruits. It is believed that the larger species are herbivorous, while the smaller ones are omnivory for they also eat insects.
Facts about Lemurs 8: the seasonal climate adaptation
Lemurs conduct a number of adaptations due to the seasonal climate. They include the activities of day and night; smaller brain size, small group size, strict breeding, and hibernation.
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Facts about Lemurs 9: opportunistic omnivore
Opportunistic omnivorous behavior is spotted on the ring-tailed lemur. They decide to eat small vertebrate and insects when they are available.
Lemurs Eyes
Facts about Lemurs 10: the high calorie diet
There is an assumption that the high calorie diet is needed for small mammals to survive. Therefore, the small lemurs eat insects to provide enough protein.
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