Crowned Lemur Fact File
Eulemur coronatus
Credit: Public Domain
Weight
1.4-1.6kg
(3-3.5lbs)
Length
34-36cm
(17-18in)
Lifespan
Wild 20 years
Captive 27 years
Diet
Herbivore
Flowers, Leaves, Fruit
Conservation Status
IUCN
Least Concern
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
Range
Where can you find the crowned lemur?
Madagascar is the native home of the crowned lemur. Here they can be found on the Cap d’Ambre Peninsula, the northernmost point on the island.
Their range overlaps with that of Sanford’s brown lemur (Eulemur sanfordi).
Habitat
What kind of environment does the crowned lemur live in?
These animals are found in forest habitats with a preference for drier forest. They are also the only species of lemur seen to enter rocky areas known as tsingy.
Groups of crowned lemurs will have a home range but this is rather small and often overlaps with that of other groups.
They can use glands on their rump which can be rubbed on to trees to dictate the edges of their range.
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Reproduction
How does the crowned lemur produce its young?
Mating takes lace during May and June. This means that their birthing season will coincide with the rainy season when food is plentiful.
Both the males and females will mate with multiple partners during the breeding season.
One or two young will be born after a 125 day gestation period. For the first few weeks of life they are carried on the mother’s belly. They then move on to her back.
Young are weaned by six months old.
Sexual maturity is reached at 20 months old.
Behavior
What does the crowned lemur do with its day?
Females are dominant in this species. They get priority over food and mate selections..
These animals are mostly active during the day but also have a short active period during the evening. It is common for them to rest during the middle of the day.
They are highly social. An average group would include 5 to 6 individuals. Some grow as large as 10 individuals. These larger groups split in to smaller subgroups when they are foraging.
It has been suggested that group size is linked to the level of humidity in their habitat but this will require further research to confirm.
Social bonds are reinforced through grooming one another.
When the group separates for feeding they will use long range vocalizations to communicate with one another.
Credit: Public Domain
Predators and Threats
What is impacting the survival of the crowned lemur?
Natural predators of the crowned lemur include fossas, crocodiles and birds of prey.
When a predator is spotted they will create an alarm call to alert other members of their group to the threat.
Populations of the crowned lemur are decreasing. It has fallen to larger lows outside of protected reserves.
Their decline is being driven by habitat loss and degradation. Habitat loss is driven by charcoal production and mining. They are also hunted for food and captured for the pet trade.
Quick facts
Until recently this species was listed as a subspecies of the mongoose lemur.
Credit: Public Domain
References
Reuter, K.E., Eppley, T.M., Hending, D., Pacifici, M., Semel, B. & Zaonarivelo, J. 2020. Eulemur coronatus (amended version of 2020 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T8199A182239524. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T8199A182239524.en. Accessed on 27 December 2021.
Oaklandzoo.org. 2021. Oakland Zoo. [online] Available at: <https://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/crowned-lemurs> [Accessed 27 December 2021].
Apenheul.com. 2021. Crowned lemur. [online] Available at: <https://apenheul.com/primates-abc/crowned-lemur> [Accessed 27 December 2021].
Duke Lemur Center. 2021. Crowned Lemur – Duke Lemur Center. [online] Available at: <https://lemur.duke.edu/discover/meet-the-lemurs/crowned-lemur/> [Accessed 27 December 2021].
Marwell Zoo. 2021. Crowned lemur – Eulemur coronatus | Visit our Crowned lemur at Marwell Zoo. [online] Available at: <https://www.marwell.org.uk/animal/crowned-lemur/> [Accessed 27 December 2021].
Twycross Zoo. 2021. Crowned Lemur – Twycross Zoo. [online] Available at: <https://twycrosszoo.org/animals/crowned-lemur/> [Accessed 27 December 2021].
Zoo Atlanta. 2021. Crowned Lemur – Zoo Atlanta. [online] Available at: <https://zooatlanta.org/animal/crowned-lemur/> [Accessed 27 December 2021].
Heim, R., 2021. Crowned Lemur. [online] New England Primate Conservancy. Available at: <https://www.neprimateconservancy.org/crowned-lemur.html> [Accessed 27 December 2021].
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