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5 weird facts about lemurs for World Lemur Day

Today is World Lemur Day 

Lemurs, Madagascar’s iconic residents, encompass over 100 species. Exclusively endemic to the island (one species was introduced to a neighboring island), these fascinating creatures have evolved into one of the most diverse primate groups on the planet. 

To celebrate World Lemur Day, here are five lesser-known facts about these remarkable animals:

  • Tiny lemurs, big impact on Alzheimer’s research
    The mouse lemur may be small—about the size of a hamster—but it plays an outsized role in advancing Alzheimer’s research. These lemurs develop amyloid plaques, similar to humans, allowing scientists to study the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. By unlocking the secrets of the aging lemur brain, researchers hope to identify early indicators and potential treatments for Alzheimer’s in humans.
  • The incredible bamboo diet
    Bamboo lemurs possess a unique adaptation: they consume bamboo with up to 50 times the lethal dose of cyanide for a mammal their size. How they survive remains a biological puzzle, but researchers believe their ability to detoxify and their evolutionary arms race with bamboo have allowed them to thrive on this toxic diet. This makes them one of the world’s most remarkable dietary specialists among mammals.
  • Hibernation in the tropics
  • The fat-tailed dwarf lemur is the only primate known to hibernate for up to seven months. Living off fat stored in their tails, they slow their metabolism and heart rate, making them almost impossible to track. This extreme survival strategy allows them to endure Madagascar’s dry season when food is scarce.
  • Matriarchal societies
    Lemurs offer a rare glimpse into a matriarchal world. In most lemur species, the females dominate, leading groups and controlling access to resources and mates. Even the youngest female can outrank adult males, establishing a social structure unlike almost any other primate species.
  • Musical rhythms like humans
    The indri, one of Madagascar’s largest lemurs, communicates through complex songs. Recent research has revealed that indris use categorical rhythms similar to humans, with precise patterns of notes. These unique “songs” are a fascinating example of convergent evolution, as no other non-human mammal exhibits such rhythm.

Almost all lemur species are now threatened with extinction, primarily due to habitat loss and hunting. Of the 107 species assessed by the IUCN, 98% are endangered. Protecting Madagascar’s forests is critical to securing a future for these extraordinary creatures.

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By Rhett Ayers Butler

Rhett Ayers Butler is the Founder and CEO of Mongabay, a non-profit conservation and environmental science platform that delivers news and inspiration from Nature's frontline via a global network of local reporters. He started Mongabay in 1999 with the mission of raising interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife.