Lemuridae - true lemurs

There are 21 species of medium-sized lemurs in this family. They are found in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands off the coast of eastern Africa.

True lemurs have long tails and long arms and legs. They have long, pointed noses; soft, wooly fur; and tufts of fur on the tips of their ears. They vary in color from reddish brown to black, to gray and white. Most species of lemur have an extra long "toilet claw" on the second toe of their feet that they use for grooming.

Lemurs live in trees, but some species spend a lot of time time on the ground. Most species of lemur are active in the day. Some species eat mostly fruit, others eat foliage, some eat insects, and there are even some species that eat bamboo.

Many of the species in this family are very social and live in groups of up to 20 individuals. Other species are more solitary.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North/Central America South America NH Species
White-fronted Brown Lemur - Eulemur albifrons White-collared Lemur - Eulemur cinereiceps Collared Brown Lemur - Eulemur collaris Crowned Lemur - Eulemur coronatus Blue-eyed Black Lemur - Eulemur flavifrons Common Brown Lemur - Eulemur fulvus Black Lemur - Eulemur macaco Mongoose Lemur - Eulemur mongoz Red-bellied Lemur - Eulemur rubriventer Red-fronted Brown Lemur - Eulemur rufifrons		Red Brown Lemur - Eulemur rufus Sanford's Brown Lemur - Eulemur sanfordi Lake Alaotra Gentle Lemur - Hapalemur alaotrensis Golden Bamboo Lemur - Hapalemur aureus Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur - Hapalemur griseus Rusty-gray Lesser Bamboo Lemur - Hapalemur meridionalis Sambirano Lesser Bamboo Lemur - Hapalemur occidentalis Ring-tailed Lemur - Lemur catta Greater Bamboo Lemur - Prolemur simus Red Ruffed Lemur - Varecia rubra Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur - Varecia variegata

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Black Lemur - Eulemur macaco
Most of the black lemur's diet is made up of fruit.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur - Varecia variegata
The black-and-white ruffed lemur has black and white fur and big, round yellow-orange eyes.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Blue-eyed Black Lemur - Eulemur flavifrons
The blue-eyed black lemur is one of only a few species of primates with blue eyes.
Source: Philadelphia Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Collared Brown Lemur - Eulemur collaris
The collared brown lemur is found in southeastern Madagascar.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Common Brown Lemur - Eulemur fulvus
The common brown lemur is most active during the day.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Crowned Lemur - Eulemur coronatus
The crowned lemur is found in forests of the northern tip of Madagascar.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur - Hapalemur griseus
The eastern lesser bamboo lemur is found in the forests of eastern Madagascar.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Golden Bamboo Lemur - Hapalemur aureus
The golden bamboo lemur has golden fur around its face.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Golden Bamboo Lemur - Hapalemur aureus
The golden bamboo lemur has developed a resistance to the high levels of cyanide that is found in the young bamboo leaves that it eats.
Source: EDGE Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Greater Bamboo Lemur - Prolemur simus
The greater bamboo lemur is the largest of the bamboo lemurs.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Lake Alaotra Gentle Lemur - Hapalemur alaotrensis
The Lake Alaotra gentle lemur feeds on papyrus reeds.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Mongoose Lemur - Eulemur mongoz
Male and female mongoose lemurs do not look alike.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Mongoose Lemur - Eulemur mongoz
The mongoose lemur lives on the Comoros Islands between Madagascar and Africa.
Source: Brookfield Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Red Brown Lemur - Eulemur rufus
The red lemur is also known as the rufous brown lemur or northern red-fronted lemur.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Red Ruffed Lemur - Varecia rubra
The red ruffed lemur is the largest member of this family.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Red Ruffed Lemur - Varecia rubra
Red ruffed lemurs have around 12 different vocalizations that they use to warn each other of danger.
Source: Woodland Park Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Red Ruffed Lemur - Varecia rubra
Red ruffed lemurs spend most of their in trees.
Source: Maryland Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Red-bellied Lemur - Eulemur rubriventer
The red-bellied lemur has two patches of white skin below its eyes.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Red-fronted Brown Lemur - Eulemur rufifrons
The red-fronted brown lemur was once considered a subspecies of the common brown lemur.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ring-tailed Lemur - Lemur catta
The ring-tailed lemur has a long, black and white ringed tail.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ring-tailed Lemur - Lemur catta
Ring-tailed lemurs purr and meow like house cats.
Source: Honolulu Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary School

Ring-tailed Lemur - Lemur catta
Ring-tailed lemurs spend hours every day sitting on the ground and soaking up the sun.
Source: National Geographic Kids Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary School

Sambirano Lesser Bamboo Lemur - Hapalemur occidentalis
The Sambirano lesser bamboo lemur is found in northern and western Madagascar.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Sanford's Brown Lemur - Eulemur sanfordi
Sanford's brown lemur is found at the northern tip of Madagascar.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

White-collared Lemur - Eulemur cinereiceps
The white-collared lemur is also known as the gray-headed lemur.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

White-fronted Brown Lemur - Eulemur albifrons
The white-fronted brown lemur is found in the rainforest of northeastern Madagascar.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School