learn about lemurs
Photographing lemurs is among my most cherished experiences. These inquisitive animals regarded me with a curiosity and intelligence that felt equal to my own. I met numerous species in the national parks and protective wildlife reserves I visited in Madagascar. Each lemur had a distinct, larger-than-life personality, communication style, and wide-eyed expressive face, quickly turning lemurs into favorite animals.
Lemurs are unique to Madagascar’s rich biodiversity. Unfortunately, their habitat is threatened, and they are among the world's most endangered animals and the most endangered primates. These photographs can be a powerful tool for conservation, and I hope they inspire a deep appreciation for protecting these incredible creatures.
Indri Lemur
(Indri Indri)
Walking through Madagascar’s rainforests, suddenly, you are surrounded by a haunted, falsetto song from high in the trees that’s equal parts a coo and a howl. The melodic noises carry their way throughout the forest, and once one voice starts, another is soon to reply, eventually forming a ghostly chorus. Long after the song’s beginning, at the top of the tallest of trees in the forest’s canopy, you notice a pair of bright green eyes looking back at you. You have spotted an indri lemur, the ghosts of the forest, and the largest lemur species alive today.
Indri indri lemurs are named in Malagasy for their haunting songs that echo throughout the forest. They are the largest living lemurs and are arboreal.
The indri lemur has distinctive features, including teddy bear-like ears, a stumpy tail, and black and silver fur that complements its piercing green eyes. They are arboreal, but after much patience, I was lucky enough to catch two females—one with a baby—near the ground for some close-ups to capture their expressive faces and enviable eyelashes.
Black & White-Ruffed Lemur
(Varecia variegata)
The ruffed lemurs of Eastern Madagascar’s rainforests are named for the soft ruff of fur around their heads. Primarily feasting on fruit, they are among Madagascar’s most important pollinators.
Black and white-ruffed lemurs were among the most playful species I encountered. They charmed me while dropping from the trees to indulge their curiosity, scampering and playing, leaping from tree to tree, and socializing with each other over meals of massive jackfruit growing in the trees. They appear almost acrobatic. Moments after the photo on the left was taken, this lemur surprised me by landing on my shoulders to investigate.
Black and white-ruffed lemurs have among the loudest voices of any land animal. Unlike the melodic song of the indri, black and white ruffed lemurs’ communication is loud and gruff, similar to a bark—and much louder than you would expect from an animal the size of a large house cat. These lemurs sound like they are always having an intense debate. However, when you see them playing, it’s clear that this is just how they communicate.
RED-Ruffed Lemur
(Varecia rubra)
Lorum Ipsum Red-Ruffed LemursBlack and white-ruffed lemurs have among the loudest voices of any land animal. Unlike the melodic song of the indri, black and white ruffed lemurs’ communication is loud and gruff, similar to a bark—and much louder than you would expect from an animal the size of a large house cat. These lemurs sound like they are always having an intense debate. However, when you see them playing, it’s clear that this is just how they communicate.
DANCING Lemurs,
THE SIFAKAS
Dancing lemurs, or sifakas, catch your eye immediately. Living high in the trees, these long-legged lemurs can leap great distances—in a way that would be the envy of any parkour enthusiast—almost seeming to float between trees.
When these lemurs make it to the ground, they hop on their hind legs—in sideways springs—earning their dancing lemur nickname.
The Malagasy word sifaka is similar to the sound of their call. All sifakas have an upright posture and strong, long hind legs.
GOLDEN-CROWNED SIFAKA Lemur
(PROPITHECUS DIADEMED)
Crowned lemurs are named for the red or orange crown-like patch of fur on their forehead.
COQUEREL’S SIFAKA Lemur
(PROPITHECUS COQUEREL’S)
GRAY BAMBOO LEMUR
(HAPALEMUR GRISEUS)
The tiny, wide-eyed gray bamboo lemur, weighing roughly two pounds and just over a foot tall resembles its distant primate relatives—the bushbaby and slow loris. Named after their bamboo diet, this species lives mainly in rainforests of Eastern Madagascar; these lemurs were found in Mantadia National Park. They are known for their manual dexterity, great hand-eye coordination, and short, thick fur that keeps them dry.
RING-TAILED LEMUR
The most iconic of lemurs, the ring-tailed lemur is named for its bushy tail with an alternating black and white ring pattern. These lemurs spend significant time on the ground socializing in large groups and moving on all fours.
Brown lemur
(Eulemur fulvas)
These brown lemurs were found in very different parts of Madagascar. The lemur on the left was in a wildlife reserve near the capital, Antananarivo, while the lemur on the right was found in the eastern forests. There are several different types of brown lemurs
Try not to think too much about that baby lemurs are called infants, and not—what I feel is the better name—of ringlets.
(LEMUR CATTA)
Black Lemur
(Eulemur Macaco)o)
Female and male black lemurs are different colors, with the females having gold, red, and brown fur and the males being solid black. I only encountered female black lemurs, who are—like most lemurs— the ones in charge.
This gallery features several species of lemurs; however, over 100 species exist today.r Macaco)