The time is now

Duke Lemur Center

11 hours ago

The fat-tailed family on the nocturnal tour path (Kookaburra and Emu and their triplets) are starting to slow down a bit and are spending more time sleeping as torpor season approaches. But one of the five cheiros (not sure which one) roused themselves enough to come check out an offering of hibiscus flowers last week! 🌺 After a close bipedal blossom exam, the dwarf lemur selected the tastiest part of the flower: the pistil, and proceeded to gobble it down. But only one pistil and no other flower parts were touched, and after the mini feast it was definitely time for a nap!

Thanks, David Haring, for the gorgeous images! ... See MoreSee Less

Duke Lemur Center

4 days ago

Continue celebrating #NationalFossilDay and your geologic heritage with Archaeolemur, an extinct "monkey lemur" from Madagascar! The big brain, short snout, and square chewing teeth make these skulls look a little monkey-like at first glance, but the absence of an eye socket and a tooth comb reveal it's more closely related to a ring-tailed lemur than a baboon.

Archaeolemur was part of ecosystems in Madagascar only a few thousand years ago. It's evidence that the lemur lineage explored all kinds of body plans and lemurs had an even more diverse ecological role in Madagascar not too long ago.

The Division of Fossil Primates is a federally recognized repository for paleontological material. Researchers and students can access the physical collection or our digital collection on MorphoSource: www.morphosource.org/Detail/ProjectDetail/Show/project_id/114

If you're interested in supporting the Division of Fossil Primate's fossil conservation and preservation efforts, consider helping us expand our toolkit with our Amazon Wish List: www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/373AW0NFW38GY/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1

For more information on National Fossil Day, check out more ways to celebrate our Geologic Heritage at the National Park Website: www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/index.htm ... See MoreSee Less

Duke Lemur Center

5 days ago

Happy #NationalFossilDay! The DLC is responsible for preserving and protecting lemur-like primates collected on federally protected land. Animals like this Notharctus are part of the lemur family tree, even though they're found in rocks that are over 50 million years old! These fossils are part of our national heritage and we are working on making them easier for you to examine.

One way to support the DLC Division of Fossil Primates is by checking out our Amazon Wish list to help ensure the lab is equipped for new fossil projects (The DFP Items start with items added 12/19/2018): www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/373AW0NFW38GY/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1

One of the items on our list that we really need is a jigsaw. We protect the fossils is by building custom cradles that support the fossil blocks and large, delicate fossils. To build the cradles we've been borrowing a saw, but as new material comes in, we'd love to have one in the lab!

For more information on National Fossil Day events around the country, check out this link: www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR1m-UPED2BNHcasbRp32m9ou1LMY-FSB9WFJOeKzJdrwi_... ... See MoreSee Less