The Interview

When we heard about these unique, amazing creatures, we wanted to know more.  So we interviewed a zookeeper, Greg Menacho, from Happy Hollow Zoo in San Jose, California.  He answered our questions with great depth and we would like to share some with you.

1) What is their apperarance?
 They have either pure white or pitch black fur, with golden eyes.
 Females are usually larger and more aggressive.  

2) What is their behavior?
 They are usually very social, but territorial.
 When they have alarm calls, which sound like barking, they are defending their territory.
 Females are more likely to do alarm calls because they are more territoral.
 Calls usually occur from 5-7 PM.

3) What is their diet?
 Fruits & Leaves.
 In zoos, they made a special diet- fruits & vegetables and biscuits.
 Biscuits- protein, vitamin, and minerals.

4) How do they mate?
 Females on a estrus cycle.
 An estrus cycle is an obvious change of behavior that show that they are ready to mate.

5) How many lemurs are usually born at a time?
 Usually 2- twins.
 May go up to 6.

6) How are they when they are young?
 They need to learn how to climb/jump, respond to alarm calls, and to know what food to eat.
 Parents, especially mother, is very protective of her offspring.

7) What is their habitat?
 They live in treetops or heavy canopy.

8) What is their lifespan?
 In the wild: 20 years.
 In captivity(zoo): 38 years.
 Usually, females live longer than males.

9) Can they live in other places (in the wild)?
 Unfortunately, no.
 They were always on the island of Madagascar.

10) Why are they critically endangered?
 Mainly because of deforestation.
 Ex: farmers are poor so they cut down trees for farmland.
 Ex: there is good quality wood in Madagascar so people make money from selling Madagascar wood.

11) There is another species of ruffed lemurs on Madagascar.  Why are they not as endangered as the black and white ones?
 Just so happens that the forests being cut down are the area where the black and white lemurs live.
 But...out of the 108 species of lemurs, all are endangered, if not, critically endangered.

12) How much of an impact do humans make on their conservation status?
 Before, we have been making a negative impact since deforestation, hunting for food, fur, and pet, but now, we are starting to go towards the positive side by breeding and educating people about what is happening.

13)  How can humans help the black and white ones?
 Try not to buy any Madagascar products- especially ones that harm the black and white lemurs, or any lemurs.  Every little contribution helps these innocent creatures.

   We hoped that from this interview, you have a brief overview on the general idea of the black and white lemurs.  Check out the other                                 tabs for more information!!!