The lemur belongs to the order Primates and the infraorder
Lemuriformes. They are native to Madagascar
and are closely related to monkeys. The word "lemur" means spirit of the night.
There are five subfamilies of lemur and almost 100 subspecies with the most
commonly known being the ring tailed lemur.
Lemurs come in a variety of shapes and sizes from one ounce
in weight to 22 pounds. Larger species have died off due to human habitation on
Madagascar and
the surrounding islands. Some lemurs are diurnal and others nocturnal. Lemurs
are either omnivores or herbivores depending on their size and species although
some do occasionally eat insects.
With opposable thumbs, nails instead of claws and long tails
for swinging in branches and communicating, lemurs have both similarities and
differences from other primates. They are thought to be almost color blind but
have excellent night vision.
Lemurs exist in matriarchal or female dominated societies.
Because of the destruction of Madagascar's
rainforests to only ten percent their original size, the lemur population,
regardless of species, is on the endangered list.