Hairy-eared Dwarf Lemur
Allocebus trichotis
Conservation Status
EndangeredMammalia · Primates · Cheirogaleidae
About
The hairy-eared dwarf lemur, or hairy-eared mouse lemur, is one of the most scarcely known lemurs. A. trichotis is a nocturnal lemur that is endemic to Madagascar. It was originally named by Albert Günther in 1875 as Cheirogaleus trichotis as part of the Cheirogaleidae family, or the dwarf lemurs. In 1967 Petter-Rousseaux and Petter reassigned the lemur to its own genus and is the now only member of the genus Allocebus. The hairy-eared dwarf lemur was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1989 in a northeastern primary lowland rainforest. The population of these mammals is shown to be severely decreasing and largely fragmented throughout Northern and Eastern Madagascar rainforests; most likely due to hunting, trapping, slash-and-burn agriculture as well as habitat fragmentation.
Fun Fact
Observations show that the lemurs tend to build nests with a deep layer of straw or leaves and since they are exclusively nocturnal, they spend their days sleeping in the same tree hollow and cover themselves with the straw or leaves.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Found in Northern Madagascar in a remote primary lowland rain forest.
Diet
Eat various insects such as small/medium locusts, were often observed trying to catch flies outside of their cage, and consuming various fruits.
Lifespan
15–19 years (captivity)
Threats
- Habitat Loss
- Poaching and Hunting
- Human-Wildlife Conflict
- Disease