BLACK LEMUR
Lemur macaco

We hang out in northwestern Madagascar.

Literally, that is: Lemurs are essentially arboreal, and are mostly diurnal but may move about occasionally at night.

We eat no meat: Lemurs are vegetarian; they eat leaves, twigs, bark, buds and fruit.

Let me just stretch out here: Lemur head and body length is about 12-18 inches with a tail of 14-22 inches; their typical body weight is about 4.5 lbs. Their soft fur is relatively long with a pronounced ruff about neck and ears. Males are usually black; females are brown or tan with a white neck ruff. Usual mode of locomotion is on all fours, but they may assume an upright posture and move on hind legs for brief moments and are capable of leaping from branch to branch. Lemurs often sit or rest in a stretched-out position.

Baby stuff: Sexual maturity in females may be attained in 550 days; males usually mature by 2-'/2 years. Mating usually occurs from April to June and gestation is, on average, about 127 days. In the northern hemisphere, mating occurs in the fall. A single birth is usual, although twins do occur. For the first few weeks of life, young usually cling to underside of mother but later ride on her back. Weaning usually occurs in about 135 days. In the struggle for mating rights, the male lemur's tail is anointed with scent from glands on the forearm, then brandished overhead threateningly.

Longevity: Average is 18 years, but in captivity the record is 30 years.

Time for a siesta: Lemurs may organize in troops of 9 or 10 individuals under the dominance of a mature male. Their social structure is somewhat loose. Groups actively range for food but usually observe a quiet period around midday. Groups are territorial and show some agitation if another group "invades" their territory, but are rarely violent. In general, troops appear to avoid encroaching on each other's territories and often "neutral" feeding areas are maintained among groups.

Status: Endangered.

*Roger Williams Park Zoo is a participant in the Species Survival Program, a cooperative effort by zoos to manage the population of rare and endangered animals. Read more.

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