Dwarf lemurs: description

Even from the school lessons of biology, we remember how diverse the fauna of our planet. The fauna of Madagascar stands out against the general background. The nature of this island has formed an independent zoogeographical region, in which a large number of insects, reptiles and mammals live. And more than half of all the animals that are found here can not be seen in any other corner of the Earth. After reading this article, you will learn about the most interesting inhabitants of Madagascar - dwarf lemurs.

Short description

Representatives of this family have preserved many primitive traits, so they can be used as the best living models of ancient primates. To this group of animals belongs and the smallest lemur, first discovered in the 90s of the last century. Its mass does not exceed 30 grams, which is not much more than the weight of an ordinary house mouse.

Dwarf lemurs, the length of the elongated body is only 20 centimeters (half of them are on the tail), covered with a short thick coat. They have a white belly and a brown, gray or brownish-red back. In short, the head of the animal is decorated with bare webbed ears and large eyes, around which are black rings.

Lifestyle

Interestingly, dwarf lemurs live in pairs or singly. In the afternoon they sleep, curled up in a ball, in hollows of trees or in nests. With the onset of the night, hunger causes them to leave their shelters and go in search of food. In the rainy season, when there is enough food for them, these kids try to accumulate more fat layer, accumulating in different parts of the body, including the tail. With the onset of the dry period, the mouse lemur falls into a hibernation.

It should be noted that these miniature animals are considered to be hardworking builders. They build their own spherical nests on their own, climbing to the top of the trees. As building materials, all kinds of twigs and leaves are used.

In one nest, up to fifteen lemurs can gather together, most of them females. Males barely tolerate each other's society and constantly conflict with each other.

Reproduction and nutrition

Dwarf lemurs develop rapidly. Sexually mature individuals are considered to have reached one year of age. Almost all representatives of this species give birth to two to four blind babies. The duration of pregnancy is about two or three months. The mass of newborn babies does not exceed five grams. Already on the second day they begin to open their eyes. Fifteen-day-olds are already able to climb trees. Completely independent mouse lemur becomes after he turns 2 months old.

Content in captivity

Many people who have visited the island of lemurs, set up at home these miniature animals. To keep in captivity, you need to purchase any suitable cage in size, in which there must be branches of trees. It is desirable that the back of the house is deaf so that the animal feels safer. A box designed for resting an animal is recommended to be lined with dried hay or natural cotton wool.

When choosing the location in which the cage with the pet will be located, it is necessary to take into account that dwarf lemurs are afraid of drafts and easily catch cold. It is interesting that the animals that live in captivity do not follow the purity of their house, so this issue will have to deal with you. To avoid the appearance of an unpleasant odor, it is necessary to carry out daily cleaning in his cage. At least once a month, it is recommended to wipe the floor of the house with a damp cloth and renew the layer of sawdust.

It is desirable that the cage has a shelter in which the animal can hide from daylight and from prying eyes. For these purposes, you can use a fur envelope, similar to the nest.

How to feed lemurs at home?

Food should be poured into deep metal dishes, suspended on the bars of the cage. Feeding animals is better in the evening, but you can teach them to eat during the day. If the animal refuses to eat, do not force it. As a rule, the lemur wakes up at eight o'clock in the evening. It is by this time and you need to schedule a meal.

Some species of animals feed on animal food. Such domestic pets are recommended to give boiled meat. But they can independently catch insects flying around the apartment. As a food, you can use baby puree.

It is important to ensure that the animal does not overeat. He needs to periodically arrange unloading days. In the ration of the animal must be present vegetables, carrots, almonds, salads, grapes, dates and figs.

Those who plan to feed their lemur with commercial food, you need to add to it vitamins, grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches, flour crisps, boiled rice, bread, dried fruits and nuts. Sometimes you can treat them to dairy-free porridge.

How do these animals communicate?

Lemurs produce a fairly wide range of sounds, whose frequency is of the order of 10-36 kHz. The scientists who conducted the analysis of the peculiarities of the vocalization of dwarf lemurs showed a lot of interesting things. Thus, according to the screaming of animals, each individual can be identified. Studies have shown that neighboring lemur communities communicate in different dialects.

During breeding, males produce characteristic vibrating sounds, consisting of musical phrases. They are very similar to bird singing. The frequency of their repetition depends on the degree of interest of females and the motivation of the male itself.

Conservation in nature

If we want to preserve the animal world, then we must protect all its representatives. The density of the population of dwarf lemurs living in natural conditions is quite high. Fortunately, the widespread species of these animals are not threatened with extinction. But there are also more rare representatives of this family, including hairy lemurs, who are on the verge of extinction.