White-headed lemur

Weißkopfmaki ( Eulemur albifrons )

The Weißkopfmaki ( Eulemur albifrons ) is a primate of the group of lemurs ( Lemuriformes ). Previously, he was considered a subspecies of the brown lemurs.

Features

Weißkopfmakis show how many other representatives of the Great Makis, a significant Geschlechtsdichromatismus, that is, males and females are colored differently. The fur of the male is colored brown on the back and is reddish towards the back, the belly is light gray, the chest and throat are whitish. The face and elongated snout are black, the top of the head and bushy hair back strongly contrasting white to it. The females are colored light gray also on the back and abdomen brown, the head and face are uniformly dark gray, the muzzle is slightly darker, the back hair is not bushy. Weißkopfmakis reach a body length 39-42 centimeters, the tail is 50 to 54 centimeters considerably longer than the body. The weight is 2 to 2.6 kilograms.

Distribution and habitat

Weißkopfmakis, like all lemurs in Madagascar are endemic, their range extends in the north east of the island between the river and the Bemarivo Mananara region and also includes the Masoala Peninsula. On the island of Nosy Mangabe the type has been introduced. Their habitat are primary and secondary rain forests between sea level and 1670 meters above sea level.

Way of life

These primates are kathemeral, that is, they have no distinct day -night rhythm, as their calls at dawn, dusk and at night can be heard. They are tree dwellers who rarely come to the ground, the branches they move mostly on all fours on. They live in groups with an average of eight to nine animals in the groups there is no apparent hierarchy.

Their main food are ripe and unripe fruits, such of star bushes or figs. To a lesser extent they also eat leaves, flowers and other plant parts as well as small animals such as insects, spiders and millipedes.

In September or October, the female gives birth after a 120 - day gestation, a single young is born.

Threat

The destruction of their habitat by burning and the mining industry is the main threat to the Weißkopfmakis dar. In addition, they are locally hunted for their meat. The IUCN is concerned that the total population has declined in the last 24 years by 30% and lists the species as "endangered" ( vulnerable ).