Meet the lemurs of Madagascar

“Did you know there live more than 100 varieties of lemurs in Madagascar? Larger lemurs are diurnal (which means they are active during the day), like the diademed sifaka in the picture; small lemurs, like the mouse lemur are typically nocturnal. All lemurs are endemic to Madagascar. Seeing these lemurs in the wild is another thing to put on your bucket list!”

– photo by Eva

Have you ever seen a lemur? Even if you haven’t in real life, chances are you have probably seen this adorable creature in the animated movie Madagascar. One of the most hilarious characters in the movie King Julien was a ring-tailed lemur.

Lemurs are endemic to Madagascar. Ranging in size from the one-ounce pygmy mouse lemur to the 20-pound indri lemur, these primates are only found on Madagascar and a few surrounding islands. Lemurs are social and live in groups that usually include fewer than 15 individuals. Most existing lemurs are small, have a pointed snout, large eyes, and a long tail. They chiefly live in trees, and are active at night (nocturnal).

Here are some of the best places in Madagascar to encounter this rare species:

• Andasibe-Mantadia National Park: Here, you will get to see the largest living lemurs – Indri. Also known as Babakoto, these lemurs are critically endangered and can be found in the park’s most accessible area – Analamazaotra. You can also see other species of lemurs like Diademed Sifakas, Brown lemurs and Bamboo lemurs.
• Isalo National Park: Madagascar’s most popular national park is home to red-fronted lemur.
• Andringitra National Park: The park is quite unknown to travellers and is home to the beautiful ring-tailed lemurs.
• Ranomafana National Park: This rainforest covered park features various kinds of lemurs including the black-and-white ruffed lemur, the greater bamboo lemur and Milne-Edwards’s sifaka.
• Kirindy Forest: Visit this forest in the southwest of Madagascar to encounter the fork-marked lemurs and Verreaux’s sifaka.