The mongoose lemur (Eulemur mongoz) is a small primate in the family Lemuridae, native to Madagascar and introduced to the Comoros Islands. These arboreal animals have pointed faces, long, bushy tails, dark-brown upper parts, pale bellies, and beards, which are reddish in males and white in females.

Jan 20, 2025 · Mongoose lemurs are fascinating creatures that capture the imagination with their unique behaviors and characteristics. Found primarily in Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, these small primates are known for their striking appearance and social habits.

Mongoose lemurs are sexually dichromatic in the coloration of their “beards”: males have reddish-orange fur beneath their chins while females have white fur. In 2020, the mongoose lemur was classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Learn about the endangered mongoose lemur (Eulemur mongoz), a small Madagascar primate with red beards and bushy tails. Get fascinating facts on their rainforest habits, unique behaviors, seed dispersal ecology, and major threats driving their worrying decline.

Mongoose lemurs are one of only two lemur species which have expanded their range from the island of Madagascar though both of these populations were introduced by humans. These animals are considered sexually dichromatic.

The smallest species of their genus, mongoose lemurs weigh 1.1-1.6 kilograms (about 3 pounds). They are sexually dichromatic, meaning that fur color varies by gender. Males have reddish-brown cheeks and beard which frame their gray muzzle and face.

Mon­goose lemurs, Eu­le­mur mon­goz, are found in north­west Mada­gas­car and on the Co­moro Is­lands of Mo­heli and An­jouan. Eu­le­mur mon­goz may be found in two dif­fer­ent habi­tats. On the is­land of Mada­gas­car, they are found in drier forests with de­cid­u­ous trees. How­ever, on the smaller is­lands, they are found in more humid forests.

Like all lemurs and most other prosimians (excluding tarsiers), mongoose lemurs are strepsirrhines or wet-nosed primates. Their wet nose feature is attributed to the presence of the rhinarium, the hairless skin area that surrounds the nostrils, much like you’d see in cats and dogs.

Jun 1, 2005 · The mongoose lemur is a medium-sized lemur, about the size of a small house cat. Its head and body length is about 35 cm (14"), and it weighs about 2 kg (4.4 lb). It maintains a horizontal body posture and moves quadrupedally. In Madagascar the mongoose lemur is found in dry deciduous forest and secondary forest.

Mongoose lemurs are part of the Lemuridae family, along with other true lemurs. They live in dry forests and scrublands in Madagascar. They are cathemeral, meaning they may be active day or night, depending on the season.