Eulemur fulvus fulvus

Lemurs are prosimians (lesser primates) and are endemic to the island of Madagascar.  Common brown lemurs inhabit the rainforest on the northwest portion of the island.  All species of lemurs are listed as endangered due to habitat destruction and deforestation as well as hunting.

Common brown lemurs are brown to dark-grey with light beards and dark faces. Lemur eyes are forward facing with yellow to dark gold irises.  They have stereoscopic vision but can not see color due to a lack of cones in the retina.  Body length is 14-16 inches long with a 16-20 inch furry tail.  Like all lemurs they possess a “dental comb” in which the incisors of the lower mandible protrude at an angle and are used in grooming and scraping bark or tree gums.  They also have a grooming claw on the second toe of the hind foot.  Semi-opposable thumb and toes are broad and padded to assure a firm grip on branches.

Lemurs are very arboreal animals which move through the trees by following horizontal branches, leaping from tree to tree and using their long tails for balance.  They are primarily herbivores feeding on fruit, flowers, buds and leaves.  They are both diurnal and crepuscular.

They live in social groups of up to 12 individuals with the males being dominant in this species.  Groups feed and sleep within a home range which is marked with excrement.  Brown lemurs breed well in captivity and live up to 25 years.

Our group of male lemurs arrived on October 21, 2003.  Andy, the common brown lemur was born at St. Paul’s Como Zoo in June 1993.

 White-fronted Brown Lemur

These lemurs are a sub species of the brown lemur, occupying the extreme northern Madagascar rainforests in the canopy level.  They are most active during the early morning and evening, interspersing periods of rest and activity throughout a 24-hour day.

White-fronted lemurs are dark brown with a lighter underside.  Males have a cream colored head, ears and beard.  Our male, Gandalf,  was born in 1992 at the Cincinnati Zoo (Ohio).