Black lemur

Habitat
Coastal rainforests in the northern part of Madagascar

Age
15-20 years

Weight
1.5 – 3 kg

Height
30-45 cm excluding tail

Gestation Period
4 months

Number of Offspring
1 offspring (twins can occur)

Conservation Status
Threatened

Did you know that…

• In black lemurs, there is a difference between males and females. The female is brown with a black head and white tufts of hair on the ears. The male, on the other hand, is entirely black.
• In Knuthenborg, we have both a male and a female black lemur.
• Black lemurs naturally live in groups, often with more males than females. However, it is the females who dominate the group.
• Black lemurs primarily eat fruit. Early in the dry season, they switch to nectar, but otherwise, they consume leaves, flowers, grains, and nuts.
• Black lemurs are quite unique because they are active at all times of the day, especially in the morning and just before sunset.
• During the day, they forage on the ground, where the trees provide protection against birds of prey. At night, they climb up into the trees to find food.
• It has been documented that black lemurs use the venom from poisonous millipedes. They bite the millipede gently several times until it releases toxins. Then, the lemurs coat their bodies with the toxins. It is believed that the millipede toxin repels insects, functioning somewhat like natural mosquito repellent in the jungle. Another effect of the venom is that it leaves the lemurs with a “high” sensation.

Meet the black lemurs in Lemurskoven.