Lemurs are some of the most interesting animals on the planet! Some people think they look
like monkeys, but they are distinctly different animals. They have big eyes, bushy tails, and they
live only on the island of Madagascar. There are over 100 different types of lemurs, ranging
from tiny mouse lemurs to big indris.
One thing that makes lemurs so unique is their home. Madagascar is an island off the coast of
Africa, and lemurs have been living there for millions of years! They hang out in all sorts of
places, from lush rainforests to spiky, cactus-filled desert.
1. Lemurs are primarily herbivorous, eating a diet consisting of fruits, leaves, and flowers.
2. Many species of lemurs are arboreal, living in trees and using their specially adapted fingers
and toes to climb and grasp onto branches.
3. Lemurs have a unique way of communicating with one another, including a variety of
vocalizations such as grunts, screams, and songs.
4. Some species of lemurs have specialized teeth for grooming themselves and others, similar
to a comb or a brush.
5. Females are actually the leaders in the world of lemurs, which is especially uncommon for
mammals.
6. Blue-eyed black lemurs are the only primate to have blue eyes! In fact, blue eyes are rare in
the wild for all animals.
7. The smallest primate in the world is Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur. They weigh in at just
1.1 ounces!
8. There is a World Lemur Day every year on the last Friday of October. This year it falls on
October 27th.
So, next time you hear someone talking about lemurs, remember how amazing these little
primates are! And of course, if you want to get to know them up close, you can always head on over and actually feed lemurs at our park.
