Greater dwarf lemur

Brown Fettschwanzmaki ( Cheirogaleus major)

The brown Fettschwanzmaki ( Cheirogaleus major), also known as Big fat cock or Big Lemur, is a primate of the group of lemurs.

Features

Brown Fettschwanzmakis reach a body length 23-25 ​​cm and a tail length of 25-28 centimeters. Your body weight is subject to strong seasonal variations and can vary between 250 grams (October / November ) and 600 grams ( February / March) vary. They are the largest representatives of Fettschwanzmakis and the lemurs at all. Their fur is colored brown or red-brown at the top, with the top of the head may be a bit more red. The underside is light gray or whitish. The head is rounded, the muzzle slightly elongated ears and hairless. The face is gray, which are not as pronounced as in the Western Fettschwanzmaki for Fettschwanzmakis typical black rings around the eyes, this is the nose is larger and longer than this.

Distribution and habitat

Brown Fettschwanzmakis come like all lemurs available only in Madagascar, where they inhabit the rain forests on the east coast. Due to the description of several new types of Fettschwanzmakis in recent years, the exact dimensions of their range are not known, but the type is likely to be widespread in eastern Madagascar. She prefers inhabit deeper areas, but are found in up to 1800 meters above sea level. The population size is estimated at 75 to 100 individuals / km ².

Lifestyle and diet

These primates are nocturnal. During the day they sleep in tree hollows or among the lush vegetation, the night they go looking for food. They usually spend their time in the trees, where they mainly move around on all fours - sometimes they come in search of food on the floor. Adult females have an area of about four acres, these areas are also inhabited by males and juveniles. They live in small groups. During the day they sleep often in small groups, the nocturnal wanderings they do either alone or in small groups of two or three animals.

Like all Fettschwanzmakis they hold during the dry season hibernation, which begins in April and ends in September. Previously, she lay in her tail to a grease reservoir, whereby it can account for up to 30 % of body weight.

The food of brown Fettschwanzmakis consists mainly of nectar and ripe fruit, and is complemented by young leaves and buds. Occasionally, they take pollen to be, where they play an important role in the pollination of plants such as the vine Strongylodon craveniae. Finally, insects make up a small part of their diet.

Reproduction

Mating occurs in October or November right after hibernation. This leads to the formation of larger groups of up to 14 animals, which are very noisy and excited - perhaps males in the discussion on the mating privilege. After a 70 - day gestation, the female gives birth to two or three pups. There creates a nest of leaves and branches where the boys spend their first weeks of life. After a month she can follow her mother and take the first soft food, finally they are weaned at around six weeks.

Endangering

Regionally, Brown Fettschwanzmaki is decimated by the destruction of its habitat, overall the style but frequent and widespread and, according IUCN not an endangered species.