Sifakas
Order : Primates
Family : Indridae
Genus : Propithecus
Animals in the genus Propithecus |
|---|
| Diademed sifaka |
| Golden-crowned sifaka |
Facts about the genus Propithecus, the sifakas
Sifakas are animals that are only found in the rainforest of Western Madagascar.
Sifakas are some of the largest living lemurs.
At home in the trees, sifakas are powerful jumpers but on the ground they are somewhat awkward due to their splayed feet.
Coquerel's sifakas are endangered in their native habitat in northwestern Madagascar.
It (like Microcebus and Propithecus) is fond of the nectar from the Mistletoe Bakerella sp.
It is hard to find lemurs in this area (Eulemur is not very common there, Lemur tends to small troops, Propithecus is fairly common) partly because there are not as many animals here as elsewhere, partly because it is hard for a human to maneuver though the brush.
Like most other lemurs, sifakas are endangered as a result of habitat destruction.
Sifakas are about 1 m (3 feet) long, roughly half of the length being tail.
Sifakas are particularly welcome, since they clearly know what's going on.
The largest living lemur, Diademed sifakas, is a prosimian (believed to be a descendant of ancient primates), with large eyes a long bushy tail, and yellow, orange, gray, white and black fur.
The life expectancy of the sifakas is up to 18 years.
Cocquerel's Sifaka This group of sifakas is often found hanging around the campsite (Full text)
Sifakas are diurnal (active during the day) and live in groups of up to nine individuals, including several breeding females. (Full text)
Sifakas are the amazingly acrobatic lemurs that are among the most popular with visitors, and Campbell's first job was to slim down one fatty named Sabina. (Full text)
The gestation for Propithecus is 170 days. (Full text)
Rarest of all sifakas is the golden-crowned species, of which anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 may exist, but nobody knows for sure. (Full text)
” Despite such high regard, sifakas are in trouble. (Full text)
The photographers’ mission may have been unusual, but their passion for sifakas is shared by others—even some Madagascar natives who might just as easily consider the charismatic animals a source of much-needed protein. (Full text)
