The sportive lemurs are the medium sized primates that make up the Lepilemuridae family. The family consists of only one extant genus, Lepilemur, as well as the extinct genus Megaladapis. They are closely related to the other lemurs and exclusively live on the island of Madagascar. For a time, this family was named Megaladapidae, but the current name was given precedence.

Physical characteristics

Their fur is grey brown or reddish colored on the top and whitish yellow underneath. They typically have a short head large, round ears. They grow to a length of 30 to 35 cm (with a tail just about as long as their body) and weigh up to 0.9 kg.

Behaviour and mating

Sportive lemurs are strictly nocturnal and predominantly arboreal, moving among the trees with long jumps powered by their strong hind legs. On the ground, they hop similarly as the kangaroos. During the day they hide in the leafy covering or tree hollows. Sportive lemurs are solitary but defend their territory vehemently against same sex intruders. The territories of males and females can overlap.

Diet

They are mainly herbivores and their diet consists predominantly of leaves.

Reproduction and lifespan

Birthing happens between September and December after a gestation of 120 to 150 days, and is usually of a single young which is often reared in a nest in a tree hollow. At about four months the juveniles are weaned but remain with their mother up to an age of one year. At about 18 months they are fully mature, and live to be about eight years old.

Classification

• ORDER PRIMATES
• Suborder Strepsirrhini: non-tarsier prosimians
• Family Cheirogaleidae: dwarf and mouse lemurs
• Family Lemuridae: lemurs
• Family Lepilemuridae: sportive lemurs
• Genus †Megaladapis
• †Megaladapis edwardsi
• †Megaladapis madagascariensis
• †Megaladapis grandidieri
• Genus Lepilemur
• Aeecl's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur aeeclis) *
• Ahmanson's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur ahmansoni) **
• Ankarana Sportive Lemur, (Lepilemur ankaranensis)
• Betsileo Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur betsileo) **
• Gray-backed Sportive Lemur, (Lepilemur dorsalis)
• Milne-Edwards' Sportive Lemur, (Lepilemur edwardsi)
• Fleurete's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur fleuretae) **
• Grewcock's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur grewcocki) **
• Hubbard's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur hubbardi) **
• James' Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur jamesi) **
• White-footed Sportive Lemur, (Lepilemur leucopus)
• Manasamody Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur manasamody) ***
• Small-toothed Sportive Lemur, (Lepilemur microdon)
• Ring Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur milanoii) **
• Weasel Sportive Lemur, (Lepilemur mustelinus)
• Otto's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur otto) ***
• Petter's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur petteri) **
• Randrianasoli's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur randrianasoli) *
• Red-tailed Sportive Lemur, (Lepilemur ruficaudatus)
• Sahamalaza's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur sahamalazensis) *
• Scott's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur scottorum)****
• Seal's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur seali) **
• Northern Sportive Lemur, (Lepilemur septentrionalis)
• Hawk's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur tymerlachsoni) **
• Wright's Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur wrighti) **
• Family Indriidae: woolly lemurs and allies
• Family Daubentoniidae: Aye-aye
• Family Lorisidae: lorises, pottos and allies
• Family Galagidae: galagos
• Suborder Haplorrhini: tarsiers, monkeys and apes

* New species according to molecular analysis

** New species according to molecular analysis

*** New species according to molecular analysis

**** New species according to molecular analysis

References

External links

• ARKive - images and movies of the northern sportive lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis)
• New Lemurs
• Primate Info Net Lepilemur Factsheets