Lemurs are an amazing group of primates that are only found in Madagascar, an island off the east coast of Africa. There are a wide variety of lemur species with a great deal of diversity in appearance and behavior, from the tiny mouse lemur to the elusive nocturnal aye-aye. Different species consume a vast array of diets such as the bamboo lemurs that survive mainly on bamboo or the fruit-eating ruffed lemurs. Some lemurs, like the ring-tailed lemur, live in large troupes led by a dominant female, others, like the red-fronted lemur, have no noticeable hierarchy within their smaller groups. Despite all their differences, one thing that all lemurs have in common is that they are all affected by habitat loss, poaching and the pet trade, and need our help.
Travis, a crowned lemur, and
Beet, a red-fronted lemur. Photo by Tina Carpenter.
With so much diversity and with so many fascinating facts, we can’t help but love lemurs and that is why we are having almost a whole week dedicated to promoting lemur conservation!
It all starts on September 1st with a three day Spotlight on Species highlighting the Coquerel’s sifaka. This event will occur from 9am-3pm in the Wortham World of Primates at the Houston Zoo every day through September 3rd. Visitors to the zoo will be able to learn all about lemurs and other animals native to Madagascar from the zookeepers that care for these species here at the zoo. They will be able to see a wide variety of Madagascar species including our very own Coquerel’s sifaka pair, “Zenobia” and “Gaius”, as well as the newest addition to the primate department, a baby ring-tailed lemur! There will also be face-painting and fun ‘lemur’ activities for the whole family. While learning about lemurs, you can also support lemur conservation as zookeepers will be selling a wide variety of unique items from Madagascar as well as paintings completed by animals here at the zoo with the profits going to support conservation efforts in Madagascar.
Ring-tailed Lemur Family. Photo by Stephanie Adams.
On September 5th & 6th, show off your lemur leaping skills by visiting Sky Zone Sports indoor trampoline park (www.houston.skyzonesports.com) for “Leaping for Lemurs”. They will donate 25% of the proceeds on these two days to lemur conservation in Madagascar. So come out and leap into action to help save these amazing animals!
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