Sifakas - Dancing Lemurs From Madagaskar

In the forests of south western Madagaskar there lives a nice creature that everyday shows her own performances, just like a real ballet dancer. I am talking about Verreaux’s sifaka - one of the most popular lemur species in Africa.

Many species of lemurs are native to Madagascar. And only thanks to Madagascar’s isolation that lemurs have succeeded to survive. Nowadays, approximately 60 kinds of lemurs are officially recognized by scientists.

Appearance and biological data:

Sifakas are social animals, they live in groups from 3 to 13 individuals. When meeting another group of sifakas, they usually show a nonviolent confrontation. Growls, shrieks, barks and howls belong to everyday communication of sifakas.

Verreaux’s Sifaka or Propithecus verreauxi is a not very big primate, that lives in Madagascar. The fur is very thick and as a rule white with brown on top of the head, on the sides, and on the arms. Tails are long, they help to maintain a balance while leaping from tree to tree.

Most amusing facts about lemurs:

• capable of singing like whales;
• extracting insects from tree bark with their fingers;
• can’t imagine themselves without “dancing”;
• skillfully jump from tree to tree even if they are covered with spines and thorns. And no injuries afterwards!!!;
• “sifakas” - this name is derived from their usual alarm call “shifak”;

Dangers:

The same as most of species in Madagaskar, these lemurs are threatened by hunting, meat, fur, habitat loss.