Basic Information
Lemurs are ancient primates (monkey-like animals) that arrived in Madagascar from Africa about 50–65 million years ago, making them some of the oldest primate relatives alive today!
Lemurs - Facts for Kids
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Facts About Lemurs For Kids
A group of lemurs is called a “troop,” and they can have anywhere from 6 to 30 members living together!
Ring-tailed lemurs, the most well-known species (type), can only be found naturally on the island of Madagascar, which is about the size of Texas!
There are over 100 different types of lemurs, ranging from the tiny mouse lemur to the large indri lemur!
The word “lemur” comes from the Latin word “lemures,” which means “spirits of the night,” because of their big glowing eyes and nighttime activity!
Baby lemurs are called pups! Male and female lemurs don’t have special names — they’re just called male and female.
Most lemur types can live between 15–20 years in the wild, but they can live up to 30 years when cared for in zoos!
Lemurs belong to a special group of animals called prosimians (which means “pre-monkeys”), because they kept many old-fashioned features from their ancient relatives!
Unlike monkeys, lemurs cannot hang from their tails — their tails are used mainly for balance and communication (talking to each other)!
Madagascar separated (broke away) from Africa about 160 million years ago, allowing lemurs to grow and change without competition from monkeys or apes!
Physical Characteristics
Ring-tailed lemurs have an incredibly long tail that measures up to 24 inches (0.61 m) — that’s as long as two rulers placed end to end!
The smallest lemur in the world is the Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur, weighing only 1 ounce (38 g) — about as much as a slice of bread!
The largest lemur is the indri, which can be as tall as a 6-year-old child when standing up straight!
Lemurs have special grooming claws on their second toe that work like a tiny comb to keep their fur clean!
Most lemurs have large, forward-facing eyes that help them see clearly at night, and their eyes reflect light just like a cat‘s eyes do!
A lemur’s hands and feet are very similar to human hands, with five fingers and toes, including an opposable thumb (a thumb that can touch the other fingers)!
The aye-aye lemur has a special long, bony middle finger that it uses like a built-in tool to tap on trees and fish out grubs (insect babies)!
Sifaka lemurs have powerful legs that let them jump more than 20 feet (6 meters) in a single bound — that’s about the length of a school bus!
Ring-tailed lemurs have scent glands (special smell-making parts) on their wrists that they use like natural perfume to mark their territory!
Behavior & Intelligence
Female lemurs are the bosses in lemur society — they lead the group and get first choice of food and resting spots!
Lemurs “sunbathe” by sitting up on their back legs with their arms spread wide to warm up in the morning sun!
Ring-tailed lemurs have over 20 different vocal calls (sounds) they use to communicate with each other, including purrs, meows, and growls!
Lemurs practice “stink fights” where male ring-tailed lemurs rub their tail with their scent and wave it at rival males!
Lemurs are one of the few animals besides humans that can learn to follow simple patterns and rules!
Lemurs hold their tails up high when walking on the ground to help their troop members keep track of each other!
When moving through the trees, lemurs often travel along the same paths so frequently (often) that they create “lemur highways”!
Sifaka lemurs move across the ground by hopping sideways on their back legs, looking like they’re dancing!
Lemurs groom (clean) each other not just to stay clean, but also to build friendships and show affection within their troop!
Ring-tailed lemurs like to have “sunbathing parties” where the whole troop sits together facing the sun!
Habitat & Survival
Lemurs can live in many different types of forests in Madagascar, from rainforests to dry spiny forests where it rarely rains!
Some lemurs sleep in tree hollows (empty spaces inside trees) during the day, while others make nests out of leaves high up in the branches!
Bamboo lemurs can eat bamboo that would be poisonous (deadly) to other animals because their bodies have adapted (changed) to handle the toxins (poisons)!
Lemurs help their forest grow by spreading seeds from the fruits they eat through their droppings (poop)!
Some lemurs can survive in areas as high as 7,900 feet (2.41 km) above sea level — that’s higher than many mountains!
During the dry season, some lemur types can get most of their water from juicy fruits rather than drinking from streams!
Ring-tailed lemurs spend about 40% of their day on the ground — more time than any other lemur type!
Some lemurs have excellent night vision that helps them see in the dark — but they still need a little light from the moon or stars to find their way!
Some lemurs can enter a state of torpor (a deep sleep like mini-hibernation) during the dry season when food is scarce (hard to find)!
Some lemurs like to live near rivers because fruit trees grow there — but other lemurs live in dry forests, thorny areas, or high hills where rivers don’t flow!
Life Cycle
Most lemur types give birth to just one baby at a time, though twins sometimes occur!
Baby lemurs begin to eat solid food at about 2 months old but continue to nurse (drink milk) from their mother for 4–6 months!
Newborn lemurs cling to their mother’s belly for the first few weeks of life, then ride on her back like a tiny backpack!
Young lemurs start learning to jump and climb when they’re just 3 weeks old!
Male lemurs leave their birth group when they reach maturity (become adults at about 3–5 years old) to find new troops!
Female lemurs usually give birth during the rainy season when food is most plentiful (lots available)!
Baby lemurs learn what foods to eat by watching their mother and other troop members!
Ring-tailed lemur babies develop (grow) faster than human babies and can climb trees by themselves at just 6 weeks old!
Most lemur types reach adult size by the time they’re 1–2 years old!
Lemur mothers carry their babies for about 2–5 months before giving birth!
