Mammals
Mongoose lemur
Eulemur mongoz
The mongoose lemur is a shy primate of the dry forests of north-western Madagascar and one of the very few lemurs also found beyond the island. It shifts its activity between day and night depending on the season.
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In short
The mongoose lemur (Eulemur mongoz) is a species with IUCN conservation status CR (Critically endangered). It inhabits the dry deciduous and secondary forests of north-western Madagascar, where it survives long rainless months. 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 mongoose lemur live?
It inhabits the dry deciduous and secondary forests of north-western Madagascar, where it survives long rainless months. Centuries ago it was introduced by people to the Comoros islands of Anjouan and Mohéli, a more humid environment: it is the only lemur living in the wild outside Madagascar.
Is the mongoose lemur endangered?
Once Vulnerable, it has been reclassified Critically Endangered (CR) by the IUCN Red List after steep population declines. The main threats are forest destruction for charcoal, slash-and-burn farming and cattle pasture, together with hunting for meat and killing as a crop 'pest'.
Facts about the mongoose lemur
- It is one of only two lemurs living in the wild outside Madagascar.
- It is cathemeral: it shifts its activity between day and night with the season.
- In Madagascar it survives in a single protected area, Ankarafantsika National Park.
- It lives in small family groups of just a few individuals.
Data source: IUCN Red List · Duke Lemur Center
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.