Order: Primate;
Suborder: Prosimii

Family: Lemuridae;
Genus: Eulemur

Species: fulvus;
Subspecies: collaris

Related Forms

There are currently five subspecies of brown lemur housed at the Duke Lemur Center: the Brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus fulvus), the White-fronted lemur (Eulemur fulvus albifrons), the Collared lemur (Eulemur fulvus collaris), the Red-fronted lemur (Eulemur fulvus rufus ), and the Sanford’s lemur (Eulemur fulvus sanfordi). All subspecies of brown lemur can interbreed, but geographical isolation of subspecies in the wild prevents interbreeding. All brown lemurs are similar in body size and life history but have different coat markings and coloration.

Key Facts

Adult Size : 4.4 – 5.3 pounds

Social life : Sociable, permanent groups of 3 – 12 animals, but groups as large as 29 have been observed

Habitat : southeastern moist forest — mostly high plateaus

Diet : mostly fruit, young leaves and flowers

Lifespan : 20 – 25 years in the wild

Sexual maturity : 1 year

Mating : very seasonal June – July

Gestation : approximately 120 days, infants are born between September and November

Number of young : one per year

DLC Naming theme :   French names (Babette, Marcel, Antoine, etc.)

Malagasy names : Varika

Interesting Facts

• Collared lemurs are distinguished from the similar white-collared lemurs by a slightly darker beard.
• Collared lemur males are brownish-gray with a dark stripe down the back, a dark tail and tail tip, and a lighter underside. Females have a reddish to brown coat and a gray face. Both sexes have a distinct beard that is reddish-brown in females and cream to reddish-brown in males.