Northern weasel lemur
| Northern weasel lemur | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Lepilemur septentrionalis | ||||||||||||
| Rumpler & Albignac , 1975 |
The Northern Wieselmaki ( Lepilemur septentrionalis ) is an on Madagascar living primate species from the group of lemurs within the lemurs .
features
Northern weasel lemurs, like all weasel lemurs, are characterized by their rounded head with large eyes, which are adapted to their nocturnal lifestyle, and long, strong hind legs. They are among the smallest representatives of their genus and reach a head body length of 17 to 20 centimeters and a tail length of 20 to 28 centimeters. The weight is 0.4 to 0.7 kilograms. The head and the top of the fur are gray-brown in color, the belly is gray. Often a dark eel line runs along the back. The tail is light brown and becomes darker towards the tip. The ears protrude less from the fur than in other weasel lemurs species.
distribution and habitat
They inhabit a small area on the northern tip of Madagascar. The river Irodo forms the southern limit of its range, south of it lives the Ankarana weasel lemur, which used to be combined with the northern weasel lemur . The distribution area of this species is fragmented and does not total more than 350 km² . Their habitat are deciduous forests.
Way of life
Little is known about the way of life. Like all weasel lemurs, they are nocturnal tree dwellers. They spend the day sleeping in tree hollows or in the thicket of plants and go foraging for food at night. They are likely to inhabit small territories and be loners. Their diet consists of leaves and other plant material.
Danger
The northern weasel lemur is one of the most threatened primate species in Madagascar, its habitat has been greatly reduced and fragmented. The total population does not include more than a few hundred animals, no individual population has more than 50 adult animals. The IUCN lists the species as " critically endangered ".
literature
- Nick Garbutt: Mammals of Madagascar. A Complete Guide. Yale University Press, New Haven CT 2007, ISBN 978-0-300-12550-4 .
- Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .
Web links
- Lepilemur septentrionalis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009 Posted by: C. Andrainarivo u. a., 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2009.