The crowned lemur is found exclusively at the northernmost tip of Madagascar an island off the coast of Madagascar.

They are primarily herbivorous and spend their day seeking out fruits, flowers, leaves and pollen. During the dry season these animals may seek out insects when their primary food sources are unavailable.

Females give birth to either a single young or twins. These are carried by her for the first few months of life, initially on the chest and then back.

Unfortunately this species has been threatened by habitat loss, hunting for food and collection for the pet trade.

Learn more about these precious primates by reading on below.

Appearance

What does the crowned lemur look like?

The name of the crowned lemur is taken from the patch of orange fur which is present on top of the head. Males have a black streak through this patch.

This species exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males are colored reddish brown with a dark tail. Females have gray fur across much of their body with white on the underside.

Six of their lower incisors are fused together which is used to groom themselves and other lemurs.

At the end of the body is a long tail. This is an adaptation which helps them when climbing through the trees. This tail adds between 43 and 46cm (17 to 18in) to their length.

Their eyes are large and circular. They are colored orange with a black pupil.

An average crowned lemur will measure 34-36cm (13.4-14.2in) long with an average weight of between 1.4 and 1.6kg (3 and 3.5lbs).

They are the smallest members of their genus, Eulemur.

Diet

What does the crowned lemur eat?

Crowned lemurs are primarily herbivores. They feed primarily on fruits with leaves, flowers and pollen also consumed. These animals may also feed on insects and earth. During the dry season they become more reliant on flowers.

Much of their feeding takes place in the trees but they will descend to find insects and earth to eat.

They have been seen taking food from farms and plantations.

Credit: Public Domain