Sifaka coloration The nine species of sifaka vary from all-white (Silky) to all-black (Perrier’s), these two extremes living in fairly close geographical proximity to each other in northern Madagascar. There is also considerable colour variation within some species. The taxonomic status of the sifakas is still controversial, and some experts recognize fewer than nine species. DISTRIBUTION: Middle- and high-elevation rainforest

Sifaka coloration The nine species of sifaka vary from all-white (Silky) to all-black (Perrier’s), these two extremes living in fairly close geographical proximity to each other in northern Madagascar. There is also considerable colour variation within some species. The taxonomic status of the sifakas is still controversial, and some experts recognize fewer than nine species. DISTRIBUTION: Rainforest on and around

Sifakas are among the biggest, best-known, and most engaging of the island’s lemurs. Seeing all nine species is something of an accomplishment for lemur-watchers, as the species are scattered all around the island, and some of them are very rare and local. Although all species are similar in diet and behaviour, the sifakas in the eastern rainforest tend to live

Sifakas are among the biggest, best-known, and most engaging of the island’s lemurs. Seeing all nine species is something of an accomplishment for lemur-watchers, as the species are scattered all around the island, and some of them are very rare and local. Although all species are similar in diet and behaviour, the sifakas in the eastern rainforest tend to live

Sifakas are among the biggest, best-known, and most engaging of the island’s lemurs. Seeing all nine species is something of an accomplishment for lemur-watchers, as the species are scattered all around the island, and some of them are very rare and local. Although all species are similar in diet and behaviour, the sifakas in the eastern rainforest tend to live

Woolly lemurs are members of the family Indriidae, which also includes the sifakas (pages 56–61) and the Indri (page 62). All Indriidae are characterized by vertical clinging and leaping behaviour, resting upright against a support, and moving through the forest in impressive leaps of up to 10 m (33 feet). Woolly lemurs are quite different from the rest of the

. DISTRIBUTION: Primary rainforest on the Masoala Peninsula, in the northeast. ID: Large size and red colour render it unmistakable. VOICE: Similar to Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur: very loud and vocal. BEHAVIOUR: Similar to Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur. Female gives birth to 2–3 young between September and early November. WHERE TO SEE: Fairly common and conspicuous in and around Masoala NP. Sometimes

DISTRIBUTION: Lowland and middle-elevation rainforest in the east. Its range is patchy and fragmented. ID: Large, long-tailed, black-and-white lemur. Similar in size and coloration to Indri, but that species has a very short tail. VOICE: Extremely loud and distinctive: aggressive and almost agonized screaming, often given by a whole group in concert, and answered by neighbouring groups. BEHAVIOUR: Generally found

DISTRIBUTION: Dry forest in the northern part of western Madagascar. Also introduced to the Comoros. ID: Found alongside the similar Brown Lemur (page 48) in Ankarafantsika NP. Mongoose Lemur is paler and greyer overall, and shows strong white patches on the snout, whereas Brown Lemur has an all-black face. VOICE: Fairly quiet. Gives a long, pig-like snore, and a rasping

DISTRIBUTION: The most northerly of Madagascar’s lemurs, almost reaching Cap d’Ambre at the island’s northern tip. Uses both moist and dry forest, including degraded forest. ID: Male is rufous-grey, and female pale grey. Both show a diagnostic crown patch, which is black in the male and rufous in the female. VOICE: Gives a distressed squeal, very similar to that of

DISTRIBUTION: Found in a small area of northern Madagascar in primary and secondary Sambirano forest, timber plantations, and areas of mixed cultivation and forest. Seems more tolerant of disturbance than many lemurs. ID: All-black male is unique. The female with its overall brown coloration and white facial tufts is also unmistakable within its range. VOICE: Most common call is a

. DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in eastern rainforest, although absent from Masoala Peninsula. ID: Male has a reddish-brown body and bold white ‘teardrop’ marks on its face. Female has a pale belly and less distinct ‘teardrops’. Both sexes have a black tail, and are more reddish in overall coloration than other brown lemurs. VOICE: Rising, quizzical “whooey” that sounds like some calls

Bamboo lemurs are members of the ‘true lemur’ family, all of which are active during the day. As their name suggests, bamboo lemurs eat bamboo and are usually found in stands of it. Three of the six Malagasy species are covered here. DISTRIBUTION: Fairly common though local both in eastern rainforest and western dry forest, in the southern half of

Bamboo lemurs are members of the ‘true lemur’ family, all of which are active during the day. As their name suggests, bamboo lemurs eat bamboo and are usually found in stands of it. Three of the six Malagasy species are covered here. DISTRIBUTION: Common in rainforest in the central and northern parts of the east, dry forest in the northwest,

Bamboo lemurs are members of the ‘true lemur’ family, all of which are active during the day. As their name suggests, bamboo lemurs eat bamboo and are usually found in stands of it. Three of the six Malagasy species are covered here. DISTRIBUTION: Formerly widespread, but now restricted to a few patches of rainforest in the central and southern parts

Brown lemurs are a large genus (Eulemur) within the ‘true lemur’ family, and include some of the lemur species most frequently seen by visitors. There are 12 species, of which eight are covered in this guide. Brown lemurs are medium-sized, vocal, and generally found in groups. Unusually for lemurs, the male and female of most species have obviously different coloration.

Brown lemurs are a large genus (Eulemur) within the ‘true lemur’ family, and include some of the lemur species most frequently seen by visitors. There are 12 species, of which eight are covered in this guide. Brown lemurs are medium-sized, vocal, and generally found in groups. Unusually for lemurs, the male and female of most species have obviously different coloration.

This handsome member of the ‘true lemur’ family is the best-known Malagasy creature, the face of the island’s biodiversity. It is also the best-studied of the island’s lemurs, and even gives its name to a popular souvenir shop. Although females are socially dominant, male Ring-tailed Lemurs still vie for the attention of females. They stage ‘jumping fights’ in which they

Golden Bamboo Lemur has an amazing ability to process the potent poison cyanide, which is found in large quantities in its favourite food: the young shoots and leaves of Giant Bamboo. The race around Andasibe (right) is rich brown in colour; the race in the west and southeast (below) is paler and greyer. DISTRIBUTION: Very small range in the rainforest

DISTRIBUTION: Found in rainforest with bamboo throughout the central and southern parts of eastern Madagascar. Also found in dry forest in the west, although rarely seen by visitors there. ID: Reminiscent of a sportive lemur, but active during the day, and their ears and eyes are much smaller. The very similar Northern Bamboo Lemur Hapalemur occidentalis (not illustrated) is found