Lemur

Lemurs belong to the prosimian group of primates, which also includes lorises and bush babies. There are about 60 known species of lemur, ranging in size from the pygmy mouse lemur, which weighs only one ounce, to the 22-pound Indri.

Most lemur species are arboreal, with the exception of the Ring-Tailed Lemur, which inhabits the forest floor. Lemurs are mostly vegetarian, subsisting on leaves, fruit, bugs and occasionally, small mammals or birds.

Physical appearance varies widely among species, but all lemurs have long, prehensile tails, large eyes and long snouts.

Geographically restricted to the island of Madagascar off the southeastern coast of Africa, lemurs have no natural predators and have evolved to occupy a variety of different niches.

Prosimians are ancient primates, which, on most other continents, were overtaken by more successful and evolved primates such as gorillas and monkeys. Their isolation is believed to be the only reason for the lemur's continued survival, although all species are considered to be endangered due to habitat destruction.

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