Baby Lemurs Debut at Bronx Zoo

Both lemurs, a Coquerel’s sifaka and a collared lemur, were born this spring and can be visited in the zoo's Madagascar exhibit

Two adorable baby lemurs are making their debut at the Bronx Zoo.

Both lemurs, a Coquerel’s sifaka and a collared lemur, were born this spring and can be visited in the zoo's Madagascar exhibit.

All lemur species are endemic to the island nation of Madagascar. Both the sifaka and the collared lemur are experiencing dramatic population declines due to loss of suitable habitat. The Coquerel’s sifaka is now listed as an endangered species and the collared lemur is listed as vulnerable.

Coquerel’s sifakas spend most of their time in trees and leap effortlessly, launching themselves vertically with their strong legs. Like most species of lemurs, the females are dominant to the males, claiming the choicest food and the best sleeping and sunning spots.

Collared lemurs use their long tails to balance when leaping through the forest canopy. Collared lemurs live in groups of males and females but are not matriarchal like the sifaka and many other lemurs.

There are five species of lemurs on exhibit in the Madagascar exhibit along with many other animals unique to the African island. Opened in 2008, the exhibit educates zoo visitors about the country’s incredible biodiversity and the challenges it faces.
 

Get the latest from NBC 4 New York anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Get our apps here and sign up for email newsletters here. Get breaking news delivered right to your phone -- just text NYBREAKING to 639710. For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.

Contact Us