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They are found exclusively on the island of Madagascar, primarily in forests but with some species also in savannas, shrublands, or wetlands. They range in size from the Margot Marsh's mouse lemur , at 8 cm (3 in) plus a 11 cm (4 in) tail, to the indri , at 90 cm (35 in) plus a 6 cm (2 in) tail.
Some lemur species have extensive vocal repertoires, including the ring-tailed lemur and ruffed lemurs. [89] [117] Some of the most common calls among lemurs are predator alarm calls. Lemurs not only respond to alarm calls of their own species, but also alarm calls of other species and those of non-predatory birds.
The highly seasonal dry deciduous forest of Madagascar alternates between dry and wet seasons, making it uniquely suitable for lemurs. Lemur species diversity increases as the number of tree species in an area increase and is also higher in forests that have been disturbed over undisturbed areas. [12]
The ring-tailed lemur is an endangered species. Before people arrived in Madagascar around 2,000 years ago, the island was covered by forests. Today, approximately 80% of that forest land is gone.
The silky sifaka is one of over 100 known species and subspecies of lemur found only in Madagascar. [7]Madagascar's isolation from other land masses throughout the Cenozoic Era has led to the evolution of a large proportion of endemic animal species and the absence of many taxa found on neighboring continents.
General manager of Cotswold Wildlife Park Jamie Craig said: “Lemur species in Madagascar are under tremendous pressure from habitat destruction and the rapidly rising human population.
The species was further popularized by the Animal Planet television series Lemur Street, [66] [67] as well as by the character King Julien in the animated Madagascar film and TV franchise. [68] The ring-tailed lemur was also the focus of the 1996 Nature documentary A Lemur's Tale , which was filmed at the Berenty Reserve and followed a troop of ...
The black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) is an endangered species of ruffed lemur, one of two which are endemic to the island of Madagascar.Despite having a larger range than the red ruffed lemur, it has a much smaller population that is spread out, living in lower population densities and reproductively isolated.