Lemurs play an important role in the ecology of Madagascar and the Comores Islands, because they disperse seeds from the fruit they eat. These seeds can then grow into new plants, which is important because the forests of Madagascar are being destroyed at a very high rate.
Why are lemurs important?
As crucial seed dispersers, lemurs are “creators of the forests”. Lemurs help maintain forest diversity, structure, and dynamics through the movement of seeds! Yes, some lemur species play a significant role in their ecosystem by being seed dispersers.
Lemurs play a very important role in Madagascar’s forests, serving a wide variety of ecological roles from seed dispersal and pollination to maintaining forest structure.
Should we save lemurs from extinction?
It’s still a growing argument, weather lemurs are good pets, or if it’s better to leave them in the wild or in a zoo. People also eat them and contribute to degrading their habitats. This is leading to their extinction, and the fault is ours. To help save lemurs we need to inform people about the importance of lemurs and how to help them.
Where do lemurs live?
In fact, over 75% of the island’s fauna and flora is found nowhere else! Lemurs evolved separately from other primates on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, located off the east coast of Africa. Madagascar is full of unique landscapes, from limestone pinnacles called tsingy to lush, green rainforests to spiny deserts and impressive canyons.
This begs the question “What do lemurs eat and where do they live?”
When available, tamarind can make up as much as 50% of the Lemurs diet yearly. The Lemur is also known to eat flowers, herbs, bark and sap. Additionally, it has been observed eating decayed wood, earth, insects and small vertebrates. Lemurs have several different habitats on Madagascar ranging from rainforests to dry areas of the island.
What are the main threats to lemurs?
The main threats to lemurs are habitat loss and hunting. Conservation policies often assume that people will decrease lemur hunting if they understand government prohibitions on hunting, are educated and/or involved in ecotourism, have access to affordable meat, and/or are healthy and financially secure.
Some unmistakably affiliative behaviors that are unique to lemurs are sun-bathing and huddling. Lemurs have well adapted body temperature regulation; they use techniques such as: sun basking, preferably, or huddling in troops, if necessary, as a product of behavioral adaptations.
What lemurs can you own as a pet?
This is one of the few states that still allow a vast number of exotic animals including some species of big cats, bears, and wild canines. All primates in the Sunshine State require permits, but some of these permits are simple to acquire. Some additional ideas to investigate: north dakota, mississippi, west virginia, or nevada.
The males engage in stink-fights to woo a female by spreading a stinky scent from scent glands on their wrist onto their tail, and flinging the stink at each other using their tails.