Mammals
Black lemur
Eulemur macaco
The black lemur shows striking sexual dimorphism: the male is entirely black, while the female is reddish-brown with thick white ear tufts. The two sexes were once thought to be different species.
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In short
The black lemur (Eulemur macaco) is a species with IUCN conservation status VU (Vulnerable). It inhabits humid and dry forests of north-western Madagascar and is active by both day and night. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: view the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the black lemur live?
It inhabits humid and dry forests of north-western Madagascar and is active by both day and night. It feeds on fruit and flowers and is known to "tease" toxic millipedes to anoint itself with their secretion, perhaps as an insect repellent.
Is the black lemur endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Vulnerable (VU) with a declining population, due to forest loss from agriculture, charcoal production and hunting.
Facts about the black lemur
- Only the male is black; the female is reddish-brown.
- It rubs itself with toxic millipedes, perhaps as a repellent.
- It is active both day and night (cathemeral).
Data source: IUCN Red List — Eulemur macaco (Vulnerable)
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.