Greater Bamboo Lemur

Common Name: The Greater Bamboo Lemur, also known as the broad-nosed bamboo lemur

Scientific Name: Prolemur Simus

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Primate

Family: Lemuridae

Prosimii

 

Location and Diet:

The great bamboo lemur can be found through out the rainforest near the Southeast coast of Madagascar. In the past had been seen in the western, northern and central parts of the island of Madagascar. A large make up of its diet is the bamboo species called cathariostachys madagascariensis. The bamboo lemur focuses on eating the shoots of the plant, but also eats the pith and leaves.

 

Physical Attributes: 

The male and female bamboo lemurs have similar body sizes and weights. The body and head length of the greater bamboo lemur is approximately 10 to 18 inches, and the tail length can range from 9 to 20 inches. The weight of the bamboo lemur varies from 2.2 to 5.5 pounds. (“Mammals”) The fur of the greater bamboo lemur is a grey-brown shade, and it has white-ear tufts. The greater bamboo lemur is known to be the largest of the three bamboo lemur species, weighing over five pounds.

Social Behavior:

This lemur species typically lives in groups of 4-7, but at times up to 12 (“Animals”). The greater bamboo lemur can be found active at dawn and dusk. They tend to leap vertically through out the trees that surround them.

Extinction:

Madagascar is home to a large portion of bamboo, which is 95% of this bamboo lemurs diet. The active cutting down of the bamboo plant has contributed to the greater bamboo lemur is being classified as critically endangered. In 2008 there were only 250 documented to be on earth, and possibly less now. The cutting down of the bamboo plant causes extinction of the species, because it leaves the bamboo lemur with a lack of food resources.  Bamboo is being cut down to be used as furniture, medicine, apparel, and paper. Hunters through out the region are also responsible for the extinction of this lemur.

To help conserve these lemurs, please donate now at The Lemur Conservation Foundation http://www.lemurreserve.org/

by clicking the yellow box on the right side of the page. This foundation also gives opportunities for internships and field training for those who are interested in volunteering.

"Mammals." EDGE of Existence. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=24>.

"Animal Info - Endangered Animals." Animal Info. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.animalinfo.org/species/primate/hapasimu.htm>.