Brown fat-tailed lemur
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Brown fat- tailed lemur ( Cheirogaleus major ) |
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| Cheirogaleus major | ||||||||||||
| E. Geoffrey , 1812 |
The brown fat- tailed lemur ( Cheirogaleus major ), also known as the big fat- tailed lemur or large cat- lemur , is a primate species from the lemur group .
features
Brown fat-tailed lemurs reach a head body length of 23 to 25 centimeters and a tail length of 25 to 28 centimeters. Your body weight is subject to strong seasonal fluctuations and can vary between 250 grams (October / November) and 600 grams (February / March). This makes them the largest representatives of the fat-tailed lemurs and the cat lemurs . Their fur is colored brown or reddish brown on top, although the top of the head can be a little more reddish. The underside is light gray or whitish. The head is rounded, the muzzle is slightly elongated and the ears are hairless. The face is gray in color, the black circles around the eyes, which are typical of fat-tailed lemurs, are not as pronounced as those of the western fat- tailed lemur , but the nose is larger and longer than this.
distribution and habitat
Like all lemurs, brown fat-tailed lemurs only occur in Madagascar , where they inhabit the rainforests on the east coast. Due to the description of several new species of fat-tailed lemur in recent years, the exact extent of their range is not known, but the species is likely to be widespread in eastern Madagascar. They prefer to inhabit lower lying areas, but can be found up to 1800 meters above sea level. The population sizes are estimated at 75 to 100 individuals / km².
Lifestyle and diet
These primates are nocturnal. During the day they sleep in tree hollows or in the thicket of plants, at night they search for food. They usually stay in the trees, where they mostly move on all fours - sometimes they also come to the ground while looking for food. Adult females have an area of about four hectares, these areas are also inhabited by males and young animals. They live in small groups. During the day they often sleep in small groups, the nightly forays they go either alone or in small groups with two to three animals.
Like all fat-tailed lemurs, they hibernate during the dry season, which begins in April and ends in September. Before doing this, they create a store of fat in their tail, which can make up to 30% of their body weight.
The diet of fat-tailed lemurs consists primarily of nectar and ripe fruits and is supplemented by young leaves and buds. Occasionally they take pollen to himself, taking an important role in the pollination of plants such as the vine Strongylodon craveniae play. After all, insects also make up a small part of their diet.
Reproduction
Mating occurs in October or November right after hibernation. This leads to the formation of larger groups of up to 14 animals that are very loud and excited - possibly males in the dispute over the mating privilege. After a gestation period of around 70 days, the female gives birth to two or three young animals. To do this, it creates a nest of leaves and twigs, in which the young spend their first weeks of life. After one month they can follow their mother and start eating soft food, and they are finally weaned at around six weeks.
Danger
The brown fat-tailed lemur is decimated regionally due to the destruction of its habitat, but overall the species is common and widespread and, according to the IUCN, is not an endangered species.
The only European holder is Zurich, but there is little chance of sighting there. The species has never been kept in Germany.
literature
- Nick Garbutt: Mammals of Madagascar. A Complete Guide. Yale University Press, New Haven CT 2007, ISBN 978-0-300-12550-4 .
- Thomas Geissmann : Comparative Primatology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin et al. 2002, ISBN 3-540-43645-6 .
- Russell A. Mittermeier et al. a .: Lemurs of Madagascar. Pocket Identification Guide. Conservation International, Washington DC 2006, ISBN 1-881173-99-2 ( Tropical Pocket Guide Series ).
supporting documents
Web links
- Cheirogaleus major onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved April 16, 2009.