The collared brown lemur (Eulemur collaris), red-collared brown lemur or red-collared lemur
The collared brown lemur (Eulemur collaris) is included in the IUCN Red List as a threatened species
The collared brown lemur (Eulemur collaris), also known as the red-collared brown lemur or red-collared lemur, is a medium-sized strepsirrhine primate and one of twelve species of brown lemur in the family Lemuridae.
Description and habitat
Eulemur collaris was formerly considered a subspecies of the brown lemur, but was elevated to species status in 2001. A small area in southeastern Madagascar is the only place where eulemur collaris can be found nimbly climbing the branches of tropical trees in search of fruit and seeds.
The main pride of these tree dwellers are their exuberant cream or reddish-brown sideburns. Males are endowed with a particularly thick, long and showy coat, while their mates have a more humble appearance: their sideburns are not as fluffy and their fur is coloured in less rich reddish-beige tones.
An adult Eulemur collaris has a body length of 39-40 cm, a tail of 50-55 cm and a total length of 89-95 cm. Its average body weight of 2.25 to 2.5 kg makes it a medium-sized lemur. The tail of this lemur is long, covered with thick wool and used as a balancer when moving.
Eulemures collaris inhabit humid tropical forests, preferring the upper levels. Like most lemur species, it moves on all fours, jumping from tree to tree. Eulemur collaris can be active both day and night. Its diet consists mainly of fruit, supplemented by young leaves, bark and small invertebrates.
Taxonomy
Together with the twelve other true lemurs (genus Eulemur), the collared brown lemur (Eulemur collaris) is a type of lemur belonging to the family Lemuridae. Collectively, lemurs (infraorder Lemuriformes) are classified as strepsirrhine primates. Originally listed as a subspecies of the common brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus), the collared brown lemur was promoted to full species status in 2001 by biological anthropologist Colin Groves.
Social behaviour and reproduction
Eulemur collaris form small groups of 3 to 12 individuals, although larger groups of up to 30 animals occur. Each group may contain several adult females and males.
Unlike lemurs of other species, females do not dominate in groups. Their mating season is from June to July. Pregnancy lasts about 120 days and the young are born between September and November. A litter of these lemurs usually has one, rarely two young. They reach sexual maturity in the second year of life.
Life expectancy in the wild is 20 to 25 years.
Eulemur collaris in the Red Data Book
The Eulemur collaris is a rare animal and is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
