Where do Lemurs Live
Lemurs are a group of about 100 species and subspecies from the primate family. The different species vary quite significantly in size from a tiny 30 g (1.1 oz) to 9 kg (7 lbs). One extinct species of lemur was capable of reaching 200 kg (440 lbs), which is about the size of a gorilla. Although each species has different characteristics they share many of the most common primate traits. If you want to know where lemurs live, keep reading to find out.
Where do Lemurs come from?
Lemurs are only found on the island of Madagascar. This island lies off the southeastern coast of Africa and has a wide range of habitats. Madagascar is also subject to seasonal climatic variations, which the lemurs have adapted to cope with. Before humans came to the island about 1500-2000 years ago the various species of lemurs could be found throughout the island. However, human settlement, poaching and land clearing has reduced the habitat of the lemur to about 10% of the island. Today, most of the 100 species of lemur are considered to be a threatened or endangered species and at least 17 species are recently extinct. Madagascar now has many national parks, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, to protect the remaining spices of lemur from extinction. Unfortunately, illegal logging and poaching still exists in these areas.
Related Articles