Greater Bamboo Lemur
Andrea Lamas
Scientific Name
largest of the bamboo lemurs (26-45 cm)
and their tails are about the same length
Habitat
Lives in southeastern Madagascar
used to be widespread
primary or degraded humid forests
areas with large woody bamboo species
Niche
Niche
eats almost exclusively bamboo (98%)
specifically giant bamboo, Cathariostachys madagascariensis
small amounts of fruit, soil, and mushrooms
- Sedentary
all bamboo-eating species of lemurs normally occupy the same area
do not deal with much competition or predation
not much is known about behavioral ecology (site in Madagascar), but know group size is 4-7
only species of bamboo lemur to eat the tough outer talk of bamboo by puncturing it then tearing off the pieces
cathemeral species
Why It's Endangered
The greater bamboo lemur's rain forest habitat has been destroyed for slash-and-burn agriculture and because of extensive bamboo cutting, hunting, disturbance, fragmentation, many lemurs have high parasite burdens
this lemur is restricted to a very specific environment and its carrying capacity has dropped as the available land and food available has dropped
Future Prognosis
How Humans Can Help
- Donate to the Wildlife Conservation Society & the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group,
- If you're interested in lemurs, the Duke Lemur Center is invested in conservation and is home to a ton of lemurs. There the lemurs are cared for as scientists conduct research to learn more about the genetic foundations of primate behavior
- You can visit and learn more about lemurs, while also supporting the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group, of which the Duke Lemur Center is a founding and managing member.
- Also, adopt a lemur! At the Duke Lemur Center