Eulemur fulvus
This is the only one of the Eulemur species in which males and females do not show different coloration. There are two main populations of this lemur, one in eastern Madagascar, the other in the northwest. In the east it occurs to the north of the Mangoro River and in the west, it is found north of the Betsiboka River. A population has also been introduced onto the island of Mayotte in the Comoros. Like all brown lemurs this subspecies can vary its diet dramatically over the course of the year, depending on the availability of fruit and new leaves. It occupies rainforest, moist montane forest and dry deciduous forest. The common brown lemur is relatively abundant and is found in at least eight protected areas in Madagascar.
Fact Sheet
Order: Primates; Suborder: Prosimii
Family: Lemuridae; Genus: Eulemur
Species: fulvus Subspecies: fulvus
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 reported
Habitat : northwestern dry deciduous forest
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 126 days, infants are born between September and November
Number of young : one per year
DLC Naming theme : Norse names (Frigga and Alberich)
Malagasy names : Varika, Varikosy, Dredrika
Interesting Facts
Because of its preference for fruit and certain leaves, the common brown lemur ingests large quantities of plant chemical defenses in routine feeding.
Male and female common brown lemurs are almost identical in size and color.
The DLC no longer houses any common brown lemurs in our colony.
