more abt xian
Sunday, October 01, 2006
more about my favourite lemur, xian
FAST FACTSDESCRIPTION: Active, tree-dwelling primates with cat like nose and whiskers; fur is soft and coloration varies from reddish brown to gray and black. Also called prosimians, which means "before apes." Lemurs maintain primitive primate features such as a small brain case and a prominent nose.
SIZE: head and body length: 12.5-70 cm (4-27.5 in.); tail length: 5-15.5 cm (2-6.1 in.)
WEIGHT: 0.5-3 kg (1.1-6.6 lb.)
DIET: Predominantly vegetation such as flowers, fruit, and leaves; occasionally insects and small vertebrates
GESTATION: 2-5 months; 1-4 young per birth
SEXUAL MATURITY: 14-15 months old
LIFE SPAN: 18 years or older
RANGE: Madagascar (specific ranges vary according to species)
HABITAT: Tropical rain forest and dry thornbrush
POPULATION: GLOBAL Unknown
STATUS: IUCN Not listed
CITES Protected
USFWS Endangered
FUN FACTS
1. Lemurs rely on their sense of smell as a way of communicating with other animals. They have special scent glands on their wrists and bottoms that leave scent trails on branches to mark their territories.
2. A lemur's soft, broad fingers and toes have flat nails that allow it to grip objects and groom other lemurs.
3. These prosimians are quite social and the troops have clearly defined male and female hierarchies.
4. A female lemur carries her newborn in her mouth until the baby is able to cling to the fur on mother's stomach or back.
5. The lemur's thick bushy tail serves as a visual signal when it's threatened or as a balancing tool when it leaps through the trees.
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