Hubbard's Sportive Lemur

Hubbard's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur hubbardi) - previously assumed to be L. ruficaudatus
Zombitse Reserve (high plateau between Isalo National Park and Tulear) MADAGASCAR. This reserve, only 21,500ha constitutes the last remnants of transition forest between the west & south floristic domains. It is a medium-sized nocturnal lemur with a long tail and one of the largest of the lepilemur species. Length: 500-560mm; Weight 500-800 grams. They cling vertically to tree trunks and jump large distances with their powerful hind legs. Tree holes or tree forks are the preferred sleep sites where they can be seen during the day resting. They are usually found singularly except during breeding season and when they have offspring. They are primarily folivorous although the fruits of some trees are also taken. It can tolerate leaves with high concentrations of potential toxins during the dry season and is even able to subsist on dry leaves. It may in some circumstances re-ingest its own faeces. During daytime resting this species is also known to have one of the lowest metabolic rates of any mammal. This is raised substantially prior to the night-time activity. This is a further adaption to help its survival on a very poor quality diet and also live at relatively high densities. A single young is born around October. At first the infant is carried by its mother in her mouth, it later clings to the fur on her back. When it is older still, the mother may leave or 'park' it in a tree hole or similar 'safe' site while she forages. They are preyed upon by Madagascar long-eared owl (Asio madagascariensis), Madagascar harrier-hawk (Polyboroides radiatus) and fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox). The latter two being able to excavate it from its daytime holes.
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: Dry deciduous forest of w. Madagascar. Onilahy River inland to Zombitse and n to the Manombolo River.
THREATS: Forest fires are common in its range to increase cattle pasture. Also hunted.
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR

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Filename: MA6642_Hubbard's_Sportive_Lemur.jpg
Copyright: Pete Oxford
Image Size: 5510x3660 / 11.2MB; Cute Dry deciduous forest Endemic Folivorous Forest fires Fruit Habitat distruction Hubbard's Sportive Lemur Jumpers Largest lepilemur Lemur Lepilemur hubbardi Lepilemur ruficaudatus Long tail Low metabolism Madagascar Prosimian Red-tailed sportive lemur Toxins Tree holes Vertical Zombitse Reserve food hunted nocturnal people primate
Contained in galleries: Madagascar Mammals

Hubbard's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur hubbardi) - previously assumed to be L. ruficaudatus<br />
Zombitse Reserve (high plateau between Isalo National Park and Tulear) MADAGASCAR. This reserve, only 21,500ha constitutes the last remnants of transition forest between the west & south floristic domains. It is a medium-sized nocturnal lemur with a long tail and one of the largest of the lepilemur species. Length: 500-560mm; Weight 500-800 grams. They cling vertically to tree trunks and jump large distances with their powerful hind legs. Tree holes or tree forks are the preferred sleep sites where they can be seen during the day resting. They are usually found singularly except during breeding season and when they have offspring. They are primarily folivorous although the fruits of some trees are also taken. It can tolerate leaves with high concentrations of potential toxins during the dry season and is even able to subsist on dry leaves. It may in some circumstances re-ingest its own faeces. During daytime resting this species is also known to have one of the lowest metabolic rates of any mammal. This is raised substantially prior to the night-time activity. This is a further adaption to help its survival on a very poor quality diet and also live at relatively high densities. A single young is born around October. At first the infant is carried by its mother in her mouth, it later clings to the fur on her back. When it is older still, the mother may leave or 'park' it in a tree hole or similar 'safe' site while she forages. They are preyed upon by Madagascar long-eared owl (Asio madagascariensis), Madagascar harrier-hawk (Polyboroides radiatus) and fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox). The latter two being able to excavate it from its daytime holes.<br />
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: Dry deciduous forest of w. Madagascar. Onilahy River inland to Zombitse and n to the Manombolo River.<br />
THREATS: Forest fires are common in its range to increase cattle pasture. Also hunted.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR