Lemuridae Archives - NatureWorks

Lemuridae - True Lemurs

There are 21 species of medium-sized lemurs in this family. They are found in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands off the coast of eastern Africa.

True lemurs have long tails and long arms, and legs. They have long, pointed noses; soft, woolly fur; and tufts of fur on the tips of their ears. They vary in color from reddish brown to black, gray, and white.

Most species of lemur have an extra-long “toilet claw” on the second toe of their feet that they use for grooming.

Lemurs live in trees, but some species spend a lot of time on the ground. Most species of lemur are active during the day. Some species eat mostly fruit, others eat foliage, some eat insects, and there are even some species that eat bamboo.

Many of the species in this family are very social and live in groups of up to 20 individuals. Other species are more solitary.

White-Fronted Lemur
(Eulemur albifrons)

The white-fronted lemur is found in rainforests in northeastern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
White-Collared Lemur
(Eulemur cinereiceps)

The white-collared lemur is found in lowland forest in southeastern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
Collared Brown Lemur
(Eulemur collaris)

The collared brown lemur is found in southeastern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
Crowned Lemur
(Eulemur coronatus)

The crowned lemur is found in northern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
Blue-Eyed Black Lemur
(Eulemur flavifrons)

The blue-eyed black lemur is found in northwestern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
Common Brown Lemur
(Eulemur fulvus)

The common brown lemur is found in northern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Black Lemur
(Eulemur macaco)

The black lemur is found in northern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
Mongoose Lemur
(Eulemur mongoz)

The mongoose lemur is found in northwestern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
Red-Bellied Lemur
(Eulemur rubriventer)

The red-bellied lemur is found in eastern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Red-Fronted Brown Lemur
(Eulemur rufifrons)

The red-fronted brown lemur is found in western and eastern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Red Brown Lemur
(Eulemur rufus)

The red brown lemur is found in western Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Sanford's Brown Lemur
(Eulemur sanfordi)

Sanford's brown lemur is found in extreme northern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
Lake Alaotra Reed Lemur
(Hapalemur alaotrensis)

The Lake Alaotra reed lemur is only found in the papyrus and reed beds around Lake Alaotra, the largest lake in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
Golden Bamboo Lemur
(Hapalemur aureus)

The golden bamboo lemur is found in southeastern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur
(Hapalemur griseus)

The eastern lesser bamboo lemur is found in northeastern and northwestern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Rusty-Gray Lesser Bamboo Lemur
(Hapalemur meridionalis)

The rusty-gray lesser bamboo lemur is found in southeastern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Sambirano Lesser Bamboo Lemur
(Hapalemur occidentalis)

The Sambirano lesser bamboo lemur is found in northern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Ring-Tailed Lemur
(Lemur catta)

The ring-tailed lemur is found in southern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
Greater Bamboo Lemur
(Prolemur simus)

The greater bamboo lemur was once found across much of Madagascar. It is now found in scattered location in eastern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
Red Ruffed Lemur
(Varecia rubra)

The red ruffed lemur is found in northern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur
(Varecia variegata)

The black-and-white ruffed lemur is found in eastern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered