Golden Bear Maki
| Golden Bear Maki | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Arctocebus aureus | ||||||||||||
| De Winton , 1902 |
The Golden Bear Lemur ( Arctocebus aureus ) is a species of primate from the Loris family (Lorisidae). Sometimes it is combined into a common species with the common bear lemur .
features
Golden bear lemurs reach a body length of 23 to 26 centimeters, the tail is only a short stub. Their weight is 0.2 to 0.3 kilograms. Their fur is yellowish to orange-red on the upper side, the underside is gray. The snout is pointed, the ears are rounded, the eyes are enlarged to adapt to the nocturnal lifestyle. The second finger is shortened like all Loris, the hands are adapted to a secure grip in the branches.
distribution and habitat
These primates inhabit central Africa . Their distribution area extends from southern Cameroon to Gabon and the Republic of the Congo . The Sanaga River in Cameroon forms the western limit of its range, to the west of which the common bear lemur lives. Their distribution is very patchy and the exact limits of their occurrence are not known. The habitat of these animals are forests with thick undergrowth.
Way of life
Golden bear lemurs are nocturnal and mostly stay in the trees. They spend the day asleep hidden in thick vegetation. At night they go in search of food, while they stay in the lower tree regions and rarely come to a height of more than 5 meters. As with all Loris, their movements are slow and deliberate, they always hold on to the branches with at least three limbs, and the specialized hands enable a firm grip. They live solitary, but the territory of one male overlaps with that of two or three females.
Golden bear lemurs mainly eat insects (around 85%), preferably caterpillars, beetles and ants. Fruits make up around 14% of the diet.
The male mates with all females whose territories overlap with his. After a gestation period of 131 to 136 days, a single young is usually born. This initially clings to the mother's stomach, and after three to four months it is weaned. Sexual maturity occurs at around 8 to 10 months.
Danger
Golden bear lemurs suffer from the destruction of their habitat in some areas, but overall the species is widespread. The IUCN lists them as “not at risk” ( least concern ).
literature
- Thomas Geissmann : Comparative Primatology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin et al. 2002, ISBN 3-540-43645-6 .
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
Web links
- Information at theprimata.com
- Arctocebus aureus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008 Posted by: S. Bearder, JF Oates & CP Groves, 2008. Accessed on 14 February, 2009.