Dwarf and Mouse Lemurs, Cheirogaleus and Microbus
Physical Description: little or no differences between males and females
Dwarf height/weight: 26-50 cm/140 gr.
Mouse height/weight: 40 cm/15-90 gr.
Coat: brownish or grey, woolly
Skin: thin, membraneous ears, well developed facial and carpal vibrissae
Locomotion: leapers and climbers
Longevity: Dwarf lives in wild for around 4 years and as long as 13 years in captivity. Mouse lives from 10-15 years.
Geographic Location: Western and Southern Madagascar
Ecology:
Habitat: Biomes, tropical rain and deciduous forests
Home Range: live in ranges of no larger than 200 meters in diameter, some overlapping areas
Day Range: sleep in nests made of twigs and leaves located in tree tops or hollow tree trunks
Population density: high
Diet: Fruit,leaves: predominantly frugivores, also feed on flowers, nectar and insects.
Social Organization:
Group Size: The Mouse Lemur sleeps during the day in large groups consisting of females and their dependent offspring. Dwarf Lemurs sleep during the day in groups of 5 or so, both females and males. Both species forage at night alone. Extended harem system, limited polygyny.
Male/Female Dominance: female dominant gender, preferential treatment during foraging and choosing own mate
Territoriality: overlapping habitats
Foraging Party: solitary at night
Aggression: nonagressive
Reproduction:
Birth Seasonality: mating begins in October
Male/Female Sexual Maturity: Dwarf reaches maturity at 2 years, mouse at 1 year.
Gestation Length: 61 days
Estrous Cycle for: 20 days
Litter size: Dwarf: 1-4 offspring, mouse: 2-3
Interbirth Interval: 1 year
Parental Care:
Dwarf Lemur: The offspring are dependent on their mothers for 3-4 months. After that they are weaned and are able to take care of themselves and forage alone.
Mouse Lemur: The offspring are dependent for about 2 months, then weaned and able to survive on their own.
Topics of Special Interest:
The dwarf and mouse lemurs are similar creatures, however there are a few differences which we have tried to indicate in the data sheet. The mouse lemur is one of the most adaptable primates, being able to survive in various different environmental conditions. The dwarfs are not as adaptable. Both species hibernate from May through Sept., the dry winter season when food is scarce. They store fat deposits in their tails during the other months in order to survive the winter seasons. The fat-tailed dwarf has the most unique thick tail among the species.
Bibliographic sources:
The Encycolpedia of Mammals, Edited by Dr. David Macdonald
http://animaldiversity.unmz.umich.edu/chordata/mammalia/primates/cheirogaleidae.html
http://www.iversonsoftware.com/business/mammal1/d.html
http://www.mcmaster.ca/inabis98-newtech/glissen05901/dwo.html#intorduction
http://www.duke.edu/web/primate/fattail.html
http://www.duke/edu/web/primate/mouse.html