How did lemurs evolve on Madagascar?
The conventional view is that lemurs arrived in Madagascar 40-50 million years ago, long after it became an island. It's thought they floated over from the African continent on rafts of vegetation. Lemurs didn't have any predators on the island, so they spread rapidly and evolved into many different species.
What did lemurs evolve from?
So, scientists believe lemurs must have evolved from ancestral primates on Africa's mainland. Perhaps because these mammals were small and nocturnal, they were able to survive among large predators like dinosaurs.
How do lemurs survive in the rainforest?
They inhabit deciduous forests with grass floors or forests along riverbanks (gallery forests). Some also inhabit wet, closed brush where few trees grow. The Lemur is thought to require primary forest (forests which have remained undisturbed by human activity) in order to survive.
Why do lemurs thrive in Madagascar?
Eighty-eight species of lemurs exist today, all of which are native to Madagascar [source: Smithsonian National Zoo]. In fact, the reason lemurs have been able to thrive in Madagascar is because no other primates inhabit the island.
What adaptations do lemurs have?
Adaptations for Life in the Trees Their hands allow these animals to grab branches for climbing and feeding. Young lemurs also use this grip to hold onto their mother's fur. Another useful lemur adaptation is their strong back legs that allow them to jump between trees. Long tails help them to keep their balance.
What adaptations do the sifaka lemurs have to survive in the dry desert of Madagascar?
Although some plants in this desert secrete a poisonous sap, the sifaka are immune to its poison and live mostly in the trees. Their long tails and powerful hind legs allow them to jump from branch to branch in the spiny forest, despite the sharp spines that might deter other animals.
Do lemurs live in Madagascar?
Lemurs are primates found only on the African island of Madagascar and some tiny neighboring islands. Because of its geographic isolation, Madagascar is home to many amazing animals found nowhere else on Earth.
Why are lemurs crucial to the forests in Madagascar?
Lemurs play a very important role in Madagascar's forests, serving a wide variety of ecological roles from seed dispersal and pollination to maintaining forest structure.
Where do lemurs live in Madagascar?
Where do ring tailed lemurs live? Ring tailed lemurs come from Madagascar, the island off the East Coast of Africa. They live in the rainforest and spend most of their time on the forest floor, although they do climb but tend to spend more time in the mid canopy than the very top of the trees like ruffed lemurs.