Habitat

Limited to seasonal lowland to mid-altitude primary and secondary rainforest with tall trees and broad crowns.

Natural behavior

Diurnal, often most active during early morning and late afternoon. Primarily arboreal, spending the majority of their time 15-25m above the forest floor. Living in large home ranges where females are dominant and form the core of the group and defend their territories

Description

Black and white coat with white tufted ears, bright yellow eyes and a long black tail

Distribution

Eastern Madagascar

Diet

Herbivore, very selective feeders, almost exclusively frugivorous eating fruit but also flowers, nectar, leaves and seeds

Reproduction

Reproduces seasonally with mating occurring between May and July. Giving birth in nests made from twigs, leaves and the mothers own fur. Nests are hidden 10-20m above the ground. While young, infants are unable to grasp and are carried around in their mother’s mouth. Females build nests exclusively for the birth and first days of rearing infants

Social structure

Social; usually living in groups of 2-5, which usually represents a mated pair and offspring but can also reach groups of up to 30 individuals. Often these groups consist of reproductive females in addition to males and sub adults; these groups often break down to smaller sub groups.

Threats

Habitat destruction due to slash and burn agriculture, logging and mining, also among the most heavily hunted of all lemur species for food and illegal pet trade