Southern lesser bamboo lemur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southern lesser bamboo lemur |
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The southern lesser bamboo lemur (Hapalemur meridionalis) is a special type of bamboo lemur. It is also called the southern bamboo lemur or southern gentle lemur. This lemur lives only in southern Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa.
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What Makes Them Special?
Scientists first thought this lemur was a type of eastern lesser bamboo lemur. They are similar in size. However, the southern lesser bamboo lemur is darker and has more red fur. It also has a shorter tail and makes different sounds.
New studies of their DNA show that it is a separate species. They might sometimes breed with eastern lesser bamboo lemurs. This can happen in the Andringitra Massif mountains.
Where Do They Live?
We do not know the exact areas where these lemurs live. But we know they are found in southeastern Madagascar. They live from the Mananara River south to Andohahela. They can be found up to 1,500 meters (about 4,900 feet) high.
You can find this lemur in several national parks. These include Andohahela, Andringitra, and Midongy du Sud. They also live in special reserves like Kalambatritra and Manombo.
How They Live and What They Eat
These lemurs are active at different times of the day or night. They live in warm, wet forests, both in lowlands and on mountains. They can be found up to 1,600 meters (about 5,200 feet) high.
Southern lesser bamboo lemurs live in groups. A group usually has four to seven lemurs. Sometimes, more than one female in the group can have babies. They have a unique behavior where they all use the same spots to go to the bathroom. This might be a way they mark their territory or communicate with each other.
In some forests, these lemurs look for food on the ground. They eat different kinds of grasses. They also eat plants found in swamps and along river mouths.
Protecting These Lemurs
The southern lesser bamboo lemur is a vulnerable species. This means it is at risk of disappearing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists them as vulnerable.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species also protects them. They are listed on Appendix 1. This means trading them across countries is mostly not allowed. These efforts help protect the lemurs and their homes.
