lemur

lemur

Lemur (Brazilian Portuguese) or lemurs (European Portuguese) refers to any kind of Lemuriformes infra-order, all arboreal, endemic to the island of Madagascar (Africa). Resemble apes, in appearance and habits, but are endowed with snout that resembles the fox, big eyes, woolly hair, very soft, and usually long, bushy tail.

The word lemur derives from the Latin "lemurs" which means "spirit (s) of the night" or "ghost (s)" and is probably due to the fact that these creatures are white and noctivagas, wandering at night and making their callings .

Biology

Lemurs are found only on the island of Madagascar and some smaller surrounding islands as the Comoros (though probably have here been introduced by humans). Fossil evidence indicates that they crossed the sea after Madagascar have separated from Africa.

While their ancestors competed with monkeys and other primates, the lemurs were safe, without any competition, and so differentiate yourself in a lot of species.

Lemurs can range from 30 grams to 10 kg. Larger species, some of which weighed more than 240 kg, became extinct since humans settled in Madagascar. Smaller species are noctívagas while larger ones are diurnal.

Small species Cheirogaleoidea feed on fruits, leaves, buds, nectar, insects, small vertebrates and other animals stolen from eggs. The remains of the lemur species are primarily herbivores, although they can supplement the diet with insects.

Lemurs have opposable thumbs, but their tails are not prehensile. They have nails instead of claws and vision to limited colors.

Unlike the rest of the primates, the lemurs live in a matriarchal society.