Alaotra bamboo lemur

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Alaotra bamboo lemur
Hapalemur alaotrensis JJLM.JPG

Alaotra bamboo lemur ( Hapalemur alaotrensis )

Systematics
Order : Primates (Primates)
Subordination : Wet-nose primates (Strepsirrhini)
Partial order : Lemurs (Lemuriformes)
Family : Common Makis (Lemuridae)
Genre : Bamboo Lemurs ( Hapalemur )
Type : Alaotra bamboo lemur
Scientific name
Hapalemur alaotrensis
Rumpler , 1975
Alaotra Bamboo Lemur in Durrell Wildlife Park

The Alaotra bamboo lemur or Alaotra half -lemur ( Hapalemur alaotrensis ) is a primate species from the group of lemurs . Sometimes it is classified as a subspecies of the Eastern Bamboo Lemur .

features

Alaotra bamboo lemurs reach a head body length of 38 to 40 centimeters, the tail measures 39 to 41 centimeters and the weight is 1.1 to 1.4 kilograms, making them slightly larger than the eastern bamboo lemurs. Their fur is dense and woolly, the top is dark gray-brown and the underside is light gray. The top of the head and neck are maroon, this coloration can extend over the shoulders. The head is rounded, the face is gray in color. As with all bamboo lemurs , the ears are small and rounded and the muzzle short.

distribution and habitat

Like all lemurs, these primates are only found in Madagascar ; their range is now limited to the shoreline regions of Lake Alaotra , the largest Malagasy lake. Their habitat is unique among primates: they inhabit the marshy areas on the shores of this lake , which are lined with reeds and papyrus . They also lived in the Andilamena area, around 60 kilometers north of Lake Alaotra, until the 1950s, and when the marshes were converted into rice fields, they became extinct there.

Way of life

Alaotra bamboo lemurs are cathemeral , which means that they do not have a distinct day-night rhythm. Their main activity times include the first and last three hours of daylight, but they are sometimes out and about at night. In the reeds they move on all fours, using their weight to bend the stalks to get to the next stalks. Like other bamboo lemurs, they can jump larger distances. In addition, they can swim well.

They live in groups of two to nine (usually three to five) animals. The majority of the groups are family groups with one male, one female and the offspring together, the larger groups often contain two females. The groups live in fixed areas with 1 to 8 hectares, these are marked with glandular secretions and calls. Mutual grooming plays an important role in group cohesion.

The diet of these animals consists mainly of real papyrus , reeds and millet . The female gives birth to offspring between September and February; in addition to single births, twins are relatively common (40%). The young are relatively well developed when they are born and can immediately ride on their mother's back. Sometimes she “parks” them in the reeds while they are looking for food.

threat

The entire range of the Alaotra bamboo lemurs covers less than 200 km², the population is also divided into a smaller group on a peninsula on the north shore of the lake and a larger group in the southwest of the lake. The conversion of the reed belt into rice fields is the main threat, and reed areas are burnt down again and again. In addition, the animals are hunted, either for food or because they are made into pets.

An estimate from 2002 put the total population at around 2500 animals, which means a decrease of more than 50% in the last decade. The IUCN lists the species as " critically endangered ".

There are 24 keepers in Europe, the first German keeping is still pending.

literature

supporting documents

  1. The Alaotra half-lemur in the zoo animal list , accessed on October 9, 2018.

Web links

Commons : Alaotra bamboo lemur ( Hapalemur alaotrensis )  - collection of images, videos and audio files