Lemurs exhibit a stunning array of forms and physiologies. The largest living lemurs stand several feet tall, while the smallest are the size of a mouse.
By studying hibernation in the fat-tailed dwarf lemur, researchers at the Duke Lemur Center are providing a window into why humans sleep. Photo by David Haring.
One species can safely digest cyanide in amounts sufficient to kill an elephant. Others can hibernate to survive periods when food and water are in short supply. Ongoing work is exploring the hibernation habits of lemurs — our closest genetic relatives known to hibernate – to understand why humans sleep. By identifying similarities between lemurs and other hibernating animals, researchers may one day be able to induce hibernation-like states in humans. Being able to push humans into standby mode by temporarily reducing heart rate and brain activity could buy time for patients who have suffered head trauma or heart attacks, extend the shelf life of transplant organs, or even open the door to long-distance space travel.
Related News
Lemur research could provide insight on human sleep patterns
Sept 11, 2013
Duke Chronicle
Snoozing lemurs hint at why we sleep
September 6, 2013
Futurity
Cute lemur a boon for long duration space flight?
Sept 5, 2013
Discovery News
Odd hibernating primate, fat-tailed dwarf lemur, may help scientists understand human sleep
Sept 5, 2013
Huffington Post
Fat-tailed lemurs may point the way to sci-fi-like suspended animation
Sept 4, 2013
NBCNews
Could lemur hibernation answer space travel questions?
Sept 4, 2013
Los Angeles Times
Studying lemur hibernation could explain the benefits of sleep
Sept 4, 2013
WUNC
Lemur hibernation patterns shed light onto why humans sleep
Sept 4, 2013
U.S. News & World Report
Could people hibernate? Lemurs give clues
Sept 4, 2013
National Geographic
Hibernating lemurs hint at the secrets of sleep
Sept 4, 2013
Phys.Org
World’s only hibernating primate has strange sleep patterns
Sept 4, 2013
LiveScience.com
Hibernating is not the only unique thing about this primate
Sept 4, 2013
Science 2.0
Hibernating lemurs hint at the secrets of sleep
Sept 4, 2013
Duke Today
Lemurs’ long-buried secrets revealed
May 3, 2013
COSMOS Magazine
You might find a hibernating lemur underground
May 2, 2013
Wild Things
Primate hibernation more common than previously thought
May 2, 2013
Duke Today
Are these dwarf lemurs the key to long-distance space travel?
May 2, 2013
io9.com
Radio collars reveal hibernating lemurs
May 2, 2013
Futurity
More hibernating lemurs found in Madagascar
May 2, 2013
Nature World News
The hibernating lemur that feeds on its tail
May 2, 2013
New Scientist
The lemur underground
May 1, 2013
Natural History Magazine
Christine Drea on birth control, lemurs and how animals smell
Aug 30, 2010
EarthSky
Lemurs on contraceptives don’t smell right
Aug 28, 2010
Science News
Lemurs smell funny on birth control
July 29, 2010
Futurity
Hormonal contraceptives alter scent communication
July 28, 2010
Duke Today
Ring-tailed lemurs sniff out best mates
May 24, 2010
BBC News
Birth control messes with monkey business
July 28, 2010
Wired
The sexy scent of lemur lovin’
July 24, 2008
Science 2.0
Related Publications
Blanco, M., et al. (2013). “Underground hibernation in a primate.” Scientific Reports.
Crawford, J., et al. (2011). “Smelling wrong: Hormonal contraception in lemurs alters critical female odour cues.” Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, B 278: 122-130.
Krystal, A., et al. (2013). “The relationship of sleep with temperature and metabolic rate in a hibernating primate.” PLOS ONE.
