Eulemur macaco (Black Lemur)

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A female black lemur, (Eulemur macaco macaco).
Photo: Lee R. Berger

The black lemur Eulemur macaco macaco, a so called "true lemur", is a medium-sized quadrupedal Lemur. In the wild, it is found only on the island of Madagascar and small islands of the Northeast coast.

Description

The black lemur is a cathemeral Primate that has a head body length of approximately 39 – 45 cm and a tail length of around 50-65 cm^[1][2][3]. Weight ranges between approximately 3 and 3.5 kg^[3]. Males are typically dark chocolate brown to black, while females have golden-brown to chesnut colored backs and light colored bellies. The female's face is grey to black, the crown a darker grey and the ears white tuffed ^[3]. The eyes of both sexes are orange ^[3].

A male and female black lemur at night. Black lemurs are cathemeral and are highly active in both the day and night
Photo: Lee R. Berger

Behaviour

The black lemur is highly adaptable to different habitats and group sizes range from 2 to 15 ^[3]. Females give birth to typically a single young usually between September and November^[3].

A male black lemur climbing.
Photo: Lee R. Berger

Diet

It is highly frugiverous but also eats seeds, leaves and nectar ^[2][3].

Geographical distribution

The black lemur may be found in tropical moist lowland and montane forested areas of northwestern Madagascar and on islands around Nosy Be^[3].

Status

The black lemur is considered to be endangered by the IUCN.

References