The black lemur, also known as the macaco lemur, takes its name from the color of the male. In fact, this species is sexually dimorphic: females and males look different, with the male being black and the female red on his back and white on his belly and ears. As more and more people seek black lemurs for sale as pets, illegal trafficking of this primate is increasing, and the species is threatened with extinction.
Overview of black lemur in 1 min
Description of black lemur
- Scientific name: Eulemur macaco
- Conservation status: endangered species
- Mass: 4–5.5 lbs
- Location: Endemic to Madagascar
- Class: Mammalian
- Family: Lemuridae
- Genus: Varecia
The physical characteristics of black lemurs differ from those of females. The male has a black coat with long hair, which is why the species is also called black lemur; the female has a light brown to russet coat with a darker face and white belly. Both, on the other hand, sport an abundant collar of shaggy hair around the neck.
The ears are covered with long tufts of hair, black in males and white in females. Marking glands are present on the scrotum in males and on the vulva in females. Males also have a hairless perianal glandular zone, contrary to females.
Size of black lemur
The black lemur measures approximately 90–110 centimeters (36–44 inches) in length, of which 51–65 centimeters (20–25 inches) are tail.
Weight of black lemur
The black lemur weighs between 1,8–2 kilograms (around three to five pounds) as an adult. Body mass varies according to sex, with males weighing slightly more than females, except when pregnant.
Lifespan of black lemur
The life span of the black lemur is :
In the wild: 15–20 years.
In captivity: up to 20 to 25 years.
Black lemur Diet
the black lemur is an arboreal omnivore, spending its day moving from tree to feed on fruit, leaves, flowers and sometimes even insects or young birds. During the wet season, fruit predominates in the diet, while during the dry season, black lemurs consume certain flowers and leaves that they neglect during other parts of the year.
Black lemurs are predominantly frugivorous, consuming fruit at an average rate of 73%. Other components of their diet include around 13% flowers and nectar, 12% foliage, 1% bark and small amounts of soil and ants.
During the dry season, the majority of the diet consists of coffee, papaya, palm, cashew and plum. The bulk of the diet during the wet season consists of mango, fruit and flowers, and Grew flowers.
Black lemur Habitat and geographical distribution
Like all lemur species, the black lemur is endemic to Madagascar. It is found in the north-west of the island in primary and secondary forest zones, as well as in coffee, cashew and cocoa plantations.
It is generally the only species of the genus Eulemur in this area, although some areas of sympatry with the Tawny Lemur have been mentioned. Its habitat is heterogeneous and botanically complex.
Behavior and lifestyle in the wild
The black lemur lives in groups averaging around ten individuals. Within each group, social organization is important, and females dominate. They can mate with any male, dominant or not, from their group or a passing stranger. In the black lemur, all activities are carried out in groups: meals, naps, travel. To ensure group cohesion, communication is complex. It can be visual, through postures, chemical, through scents, but above all through various sound signals, such as the shrill cries used to mark territory.
Black lemurs have a typical territory size of 3.5-7 ha, with a typical home range of 5-5.5 ha. The ranges of groups tend to overlap greatly, and group conversations are not uncommon. During these interactions, physical damage has not been observed, but territorial displays like tail wagging and hopping back and forth are frequent. During the mating season, the amount of interaction between groups is increased, during the birthing season, the avoidance of groups is increased.
During the breeding season, black lemurs also have a lower priority when it comes to feeding, and spend more time looking for mates. Black males are more aggressive towards other males during the breeding season, and females are more aggressive towards fruit during the nursing period. Black lemurs don’t generally show reconciliation behavior after a war, instead distancing themselves after a conflict.
The black lemur is an ephemeral primate, which means it has a 24-hour period of activity that is not entirely diurnal or nocturnal. Black lemurs are very active both day and night. They seem to have the most energy during the morning hours, from 06:30 to 08:30, and from 15:00 to 17:00. Black lemurs are generally inactive during the middle hours of the day. Except the hours between 04:30 and 06:30, nocturnal activity is greater on light-moon nights than on dark-moon nights.
It is speculated that this may be because lemur eyes lack tapetum lucidum, the eye structure that enhances night vision by increasing the amount of light available to photoreceptors.
Without this structure, lemurs may have difficulty seeing in the absence of intense lunar light. Nocturnal activity is not associated with the lunar cycle between 04:30 and 06:30. During this period, lemurs have a better ability to perceive light and are therefore more likely to participate in nocturnal activity.
Communication
In the black lemur, visual communication signals are essentially postures, movements (of the tail in particular) and rare facial mimics. On the other hand, these animals spend much of their time exchanging chemical and acoustic signals.
Also, black lemurs can utilize vocalizations like grunting, purring, screeching, and shrilling. A call to cohesion is made to keep track of the other members of the group, while grunting is employed when an individual recognizes another. Purring behavior of infants is most likely a sign of contentment (primarily during grooming). Other vocalizations, like screeches or shrills, are employed as a predator’s alarm to signal off.
Black lemurs are preyed upon by multiple predators, including humans, raptors, and other species of viverrids, such as civets or geese. When a predator is recognized, alarm sounds are produced, including yells and screams. Other exhibited behaviors include tail wagging, staring, and bullying. “Mobbing” behavior is the collective pursuit of a predator. This strategy is primarily employed to defend against large serpents like hawks and constrictors. Black lemurs typically utilize their collective and alarm-based protection methods.
Black lemur Reproduction
The Black Lemur, like other lemurs, reproduces seasonally. The breeding season extends from April to June in Madagascar, and from November to January in captivity in the Northern Hemisphere. Sexual maturity is reached at around one-and-a-half years of age, but the young generally do not reproduce until the second breeding season following their birth, i.e. at around two-and-a-half years of age.
The female estrous cycle lasts 33 days, with a 3-day estrus, during which the period of receptivity is extremely short: from a few hours to 2 days. Females can give birth to one or two young after an average gestation period of 128 days. Gestation therefore takes place during the dry season and births at the beginning of the wet season.
Babies attach themselves to their mother’s belly as they make their way through the forest. Often, the mother covers the child with her whole body, almost forming a protective barrier around him. At three weeks, the baby can sit on its mother’s back. At around 40–45 days, the baby begins to disassociate itself from its mother, but they can continue to feed each other for up to 6 months.
Threats to the black lemur
The most common predators of the black-and-white maned lemur are the boa constrictor, the eagle and the fosa (a Malagasy predator from the mongoose family). Since the lemur is a diurnal animal, the fosa, which hunts at night, is its main threat. Another threat to the black lemur is poaching, as its meat is highly prized by the Malagasy.
Conservation status and efforts
Listed as “endangered” by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the black lemur is, like most lemurs, a threatened species for several reasons. The first major threat it faces is deforestation. Madagascar’s forests are exploited for firewood and exotic wood (ebony, rosewood, etc.), but they are also cleared as part of the slash-and-burn farming practiced by the Madagascans. This method consists of burning forest plots so that the ashes fertilize the soil and encourage agriculture. But this enrichment is only temporary, and when the soil is exhausted, the Malagasy burns new plots, encroaching ever further on the forest. It is estimated that Madagascar has lost half its forest cover since the middle of the 20th century.
Black lemurs are considered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). They’re located in two severe nature reserves, Lokobe and Tsaratanana, as well as in a national park called Sahamalaza-Iles Radama, all of which are located in Manongarivo. They are located on the island of Nosy Komba, where the local population regards them as holy. Likewise, they also serve as a large tourist draw for Nost Tanikely.
The contribution of zoos and wildlife sanctuaries to the conservation and study of Black lemur, including breeding programs and educational outreach.
How many black lemurs are left in the world?
The black lemur is one of the world’s most endangered primates, with fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild.
Why is the black lemur going extinct?
Black lemurs are on the brink of extinction due to increasing deforestation in Madagascar, which is reducing their natural habitat, necessary for the evolution of the species. The hunting of lemurs in certain regions of the island is a widespread activity to meet the food and financial needs of the poorest populations.
reference
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Provides detailed conservation status, including the endangered classification of the black lemur, alongside scientific assessment and efforts aimed at its preservation. IUCN Red List Entry
Mittermeier, R.A., et al. (2008): “Lemur Diversity in Madagascar”. This study discusses the diversity of lemurs in Madagascar, including a focus on the black lemur and its conservation status. The elevation of Eulemur macaco to species status and its implications are particularly highlighted.
Groves, C.P. (2005) in “Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference”: Provides taxonomic and geographic information on the black lemur, contributing to a better understanding of its classification and distribution.
ARKive – Images and Movies of the Black Lemur (Eulemur macaco): An archive of visual media showcasing the black lemur in its natural habitat, offering insights into its behavior and environment. ARKive Archive
Animal Diversity Web (ADW): Offers an in-depth look at the black lemur’s biology, habitat, diet, and conservation efforts, making it a valuable resource for educational and research purposes. ADW on Black Lemur
Books and Publications:
- Garbutt, N. (2007). “Mammals of Madagascar”: Provides insights into the diverse mammalian species of Madagascar, including the black lemur.
- Sussman, R.W. (1999). “Primate Ecology and Social Structure Volume 1”: Delivers detailed information on primate ecology, with specifics on the black lemur’s social structure and behavior.
