Margot Marsh's mouse lemur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Margot Marsh's mouse lemur |
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The Margot Marsh's mouse lemur, also called the Antafondro mouse lemur (Microcebus margotmarshae), is a tiny mouse lemur. It lives only on the island of Madagascar. Scientists first found a sample of this lemur in 2006. They officially described it as a new species in 2008. Genetic tests show it is different from its closest relative, Claire's mouse lemur.
This small lemur weighs about 41 grams (1.4 oz). Its body is about 8.4 cm (3.3 in) long, and its tail is about 14 cm (5.5 in) long. You can find it in the Antafondro Classified Forest Special Reserve in northern Madagascar.
Why is it Called Margot Marsh's Mouse Lemur?
The name margotmarshae honors Margot Marsh. She gave a lot of money to help protect primates in many countries. After she passed away in 1995, the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation was started. This foundation continues her work to save threatened primates.
What Does it Look Like?
Margot Marsh's mouse lemur weighs around 41 grams (1.4 oz). Like other mouse lemurs, its weight can change with the seasons. The first lemur studied weighed 49.0 g (1.73 oz). Its body was 8.4 cm (3.3 in) long, and its tail was 14.3 cm (5.6 in) long. Other measurements included a head crown of 3.2 cm (1.3 in). Its muzzle was 9.5 mm (0.37 in) long, and its ears were 15.4 mm (0.61 in) long and 8.7 mm (0.34 in) wide.
The fur on its back and tail is mostly reddish-orange. It has some gray color underneath. The fur on its belly is white to cream colored. Its head is a bright reddish-orange, and its ears are small. The fur around its eyes and on its muzzle is light brown. It also has a small, bright white spot on its nose between its eyes.
Where Do They Live?
Margot Marsh's mouse lemur lives in the Antafondro Classified Forest Special Reserve. This area is in the Antsiranana Province of Madagascar. It is south of the Andranomalaza River and north of the Maevarano River.
The northern part of this lemur's home is next to where the Sambirano mouse lemur (M. sambiranensis) lives. This area creates a natural barrier. It separates Margot Marsh's mouse lemur from its closest genetic relative, Claire's mouse lemur (M. mamiratra), which lives further north.
