Physical description
Males display entirely black, silky and dense fur, with eyes of a bright orange contrasting sharply with their dark coat. Females, on the other hand, have brown-reddish to tawny fur, with a black face and tufts of lighter hair around the ears, giving them a more contrasted appearance.
Habitat and distribution
The Black Lemur measures approximately 40 cm in length, with a tail reaching up to 50 cm. Its weight varies between 1.5 and 2.5 kg. Its long bushy tail, although not prehensile, helps it maintain balance as it moves through the canopy.
Habitat and distribution
It is found mainly in the humid tropical forests of northwestern Madagascar, particularly on the island of Nosy Be and in adjacent forests. This lemur is diurnal and arboreal, although it sometimes descends to the ground to feed. It lives in social groups of 5 to 12 individuals, where females dominate, as in most lemurs.
Diet
The Black Lemur is frugivorous, consuming mainly fruits, flowers, nectar and occasionally leaves and insects. It plays an essential ecological role in dispersing seeds, thus contributing to the regeneration of Malagasy forests.
Conservation and threats
This species is threatened due to deforestation, hunting and illegal trade.
