ePedia

The Hairy-Eared Dwarf Lemur

Page history last edited by Anonymous 2 yrs ago

Introduction

Being one of the smallest primates, the Allocebus trichotis, or the hairy-eared dwarf lemur, weighs 80-100 grams (that's about 80-100 paperclips!) and and astounding length of 30 centimeters! Until the year 1966, these wondrous animals were considered to be extinct until they turned up again on the island of Madagascar. They are without doubt one of the rarest groups of surviving lemurs.

Introduction
Classification
Habitat
Food Source
Reproduction
Behavior
Fun Facts!
Bibliography

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Primates

Suborder: Strepsirrhini

Family: Cheirogaleidae

Genus: Allocebus

Species: Allocebus trichotis

Habitat

These lemurs have been found in lowland original rain forests, such as Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands. Little is known about the habitat of the Hairy-Eared Dwarf Lemur.

Food Source

Technically, no one is certain as to the diet of the Hairy-Eared Dwarf Lemur, but from observing its anatomy, we can infer that it has omnivorous tendencies. With large upper incisors, they scrape tree bark to eat the plant gum within, and these lemurs also enjoy eating insects and possibly nectar.

Reproduction

Pregnancy begins between November and December, and the baby is born in about January or February. There is usually only one child per pregnancy. The females usually nurse their young until they become independent, and the males protect, carry, and groom the young.

Behavior

This lemur is nocturnal and becomes active as the sun sets. They live in nests made of fresh leaves in holes in small trees. The groups that they travel in are made up of an adult pair and their child. Some have been known to hibernate from may to September. The adults take turns grooming each other.