Lemur Countdown: Black Lemur

 Number two in our celebration of Lemurs residing in American Zoo's is the Black Lemur.  Sexually dimorphous, only the males are actually black.  The females sport a coat of many colors from creamy white on the undersides and a white wreath of a main circling their faces, to a burnt umber along their spines that fades to a ruddy roan on the outer sides of their arms and legs.  They are found in the Sambirano region on the northwestern tip of the island of Madagascar.  Estimates put about 10,000 animals left in the wild, but due to deforestation, poaching, and increased hybridization with the Blue-eyed Black Lemur species, they are listed as Endangered.  

Unlike the dozens and dozens of zoos that are home to our first celebrant, the Black and White Ruffed Lemur, Black Lemurs are found in notably few zoos.  I have actually seen them at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska and the Philadelphia Zoo in Pennsylvania.  

Remembering we are celebrating Lemurs in anticipation of the Brandywine Zoo's new Lemur habitat opening at the end of the month in Wilmington, Delaware.