Lemurs are a special type of primates whose name means “spirits in the night”. They look like a cross between a cat and a squirrel.

They can be found only in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands.

Lemurs live in many habitats. Some live in humid tropical rainforests while others live in dry desert regions.  

Archaeoindris was the largest living lemur, weighing in at 350 to 440lbs (160 to 200 kg). It died out when humans settled Madagascar 2,000 years back.

Prosimians are primitive primates, and lemurs are prosimians. They are social animals that have long limbs, flexible hands and fingers, and long noses. 

Each type of lemur is different. They come in many sizes and colors, including reddish brown, gray, and even white.

The smallest lemur, a pygmy mouse, weighs just 1oz (28g), but the largest, the Indri or Diademed Siaka, can weigh up 15 lb (6.8kg), equivalent to a large cat. 

Lemurs eat mostly vegetables, but they also eat leaves and fruits. Some are nocturnal while others are active at dawn or during the day.

Lemurs can often be seen sunbathing in a meditative position. These animals are more likely to bask in the sun before going about their daily foraging activities because their bellies aren’t as protected from cold environments.

Lemurs use the canines, incisors, and lower teeth of their lower teeth to groom themselves and other members of their group.

 Lemurs are vocal animals, making sounds that range from the grunts and swears of brown lemurs and sifaka to the chirps of mouse lemurs to the eerie, wailing call of the indri.

Habitat loss is the biggest threat to lemurs, as people cut down their native forests in search of farm land. The habitat of 80 percent of the Madagascar lemurs has been destroyed.

There are 50 types of lemurs. 10 are critically endangered, 7 endangered and 19 are vulnerable. 

All types of lemurs have been protected. It is illegal to hunt or capture them for trade.