primates and other mammals of Kirindy - Tropical Biology Association

Mammals of KirindyGrey mouse lemurMicrocebus murinusCharacteristics Very small mouse-likelemur with a grey back and off-whiteunderparts. Note the white patch on itsnose and dark eye-rings. Mouse lemurs canbe seen rapidly scurrying and leapingamong the trees.Behaviour Nocturnal. Both sexes foragealone at night in multiple overlappinghome ranges. Males increase their homeranges during the mating season and canleave sperm plugs to reduce competition.Both sexes undergo torpor during the day:males sleep alone while related femalessleep together. Adult females hibernate forseveral weeks each year; males hibernate foronly a few days at a time.Berthe’s mouse lemurMicrocebus berthaeCharacteristics Red head, rufous-looking,cinnamon round eyes, line down back.Behaviour Nocturnal. They are solitary –female ranges show little overlap whilemale ranges are more dispersed. If caughtunder a flashlight at night they are morelikely to freeze than run away like othermouse lemurs.Size This is the smallest primate species inthe world. Its body weight is ~30g (agorilla’s body weight is ~160kg). Bodylength ~61mm; tail length ~136mm.Status Endangered (IUCN).Diet Largely fruit but can eat insects.Size Head and body length ~125mm andtail ~135mm; females are 17 per cent largerthan the males; weight ~109g.Status Least concern (IUCN).6