Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur
Cheirogaleus medius
WILD STATUS
Low Risk (IUCN Red List rating)
Although Madagascar tree dwelling species are all in danger due to excessive deforestation practices.
DISTRIBUTION
Western and Southern Madagascar.
SIZE
Head and body length: 8 inches (20 cm)
Tail length: 8 inches (20 cm)
Weight: varies seasonally from 5oz to 7.6 oz (142 gm to 217 gm). Their weight fluctuates widely as fat stores are accumulated then used-up during hibernation.
HABITAT
Dry secondary and primary forests of western and southern Madagascar.
REPRODUCTION
Sexually mature at 1 year
Mating occurs in November
Gestation periods 61 to 64 days
Litters range in size from 1 to 4 young; twins are very common.
DIET
Fruit, flowers, nectar, pollen, insects, chameleons and aphid secretions.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- The word Lemur means ghost, which is very fitting as these primates are nocturnal.
- Fat-tailed Lemurs are the smallest of Madagascar’s primates.
- They are very active during the rainy season (November through March) as they eat, mate, and have young.
- As their name suggests, they store energy in the form of fat in their tail, which triples in volume, from an average of .92 cubic inches (15 cc) in November to an average of 2.56 cubic inches (42 cc) in May.
- That energy is consumed during hibernation in the cool, dry season.
- They are solitary, but sleep in communal hollow-tree nests of 2-9 individuals.
- Fat-tailed Lemurs spend almost all of their time in trees but are not agile leapers.
- Females are dominate over males.
- Since the arrival of humans on Madagascar, at least 14 species of lemur have become extinct.
ANIMAL FACT SHEET
To download this page and also get a full page photo of the Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur click here for a PDF.
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