Class: Mammalia

Order: Primates

Scientific Name: Eulemur coronatus

Range: Extreme northern Madagascar

Habitat: From moist to dry tropical forest , ranging sea level up to 1400 meters

Diet: Wild: primarily fruits, supplemented by leaves and flowers and the occasional insect
Zoo: primate biscuits, fruits, vegetables, endive, sweet potato, grape, broccoli and bananas

Gestation: 4.5 months

Litter: usually one, occasionally twins

Life Span: 10-15 years in the wild, greater than 20 years in captivity

Description: They are described as completely covered in a wooly blanket and their distinguishing feature is a bright orange crescent centered on the forehead and arching back to the ears -- hence, crowned lemur. There is a distinct difference in colors: females have an overall gray color with a dull orange-brown back, while males are orange overall with the back being of a more chocolate hue. Males also have a black center of their crown. Their face is typical of lemur, round and ending in a short black snout. They have sharp claws on all fingers and toes. The body is about 14 inches long with a tail length of 18 inches and a weight of about 6 pounds.

Behavior:Each group is a family of mother, father and children ranging from two to six individuals. They spend their days searching for food in a ranging of 10- 15 hectares.

Reproduction: They typically mate from April to June.

Our Animals: The Zoo has a breeding pair -- one male and one female -- of crowned lemurs.

Did You Know?

• The female is dominant to the male.
• Most lemurs are cathemeral, meaning they are active and asleep both day and night sporadically.