Size: Head and body length; 38-40 cm. Tail length; 39-41 cm. Weight; 1.35-1.5 kg

Habitat and Distribution: These are the only lemurs to be found in a habitat consisting of reeds and papyrus and marshes surrounding Lac Alaotra in central eastern Madagascar. They actually have the most restricted range of any lemur and are only really found in the southwest corner of the lake.

Age: Can live up to 20 years in captivity.

Groups and Breeding: Alaotran gentle lemurs live in groups of 2-9 individuals or either a pair and their offspring or 2 adult pairs and their offspring. They give birth to a single youngster after a gestation of 137 days in September to February.

Diet: They are strict folivores which mean they only eat the leaves of papyrus, reeds, grasses and ferns.

• The Alaotran gentle lemur is extremely endangered and there are thought to be only around 7500 individuals left in the wild. Loss of habitat to rice plantations and hunting for meat and also pets has led to a decrease in this species population.
• Grooming is a very important part of this lemur’s social structure and they have special lower teeth known as ‘tooth combs’ which are used especially for grooming.
• They can walk on all 4 legs up reed stems.
• This lemur is cathmeral which means it is active in the day and at night. This is because reeds and papyrus are quite low in nutritional value, so lemurs eat to eat huge amounts to get sufficient nourishment.
• A female will carry young on her back and as they are relatively good swimmers, have even been seen swimming with young on their backs.