The white-footed sportive lemur, white-footed weasel lemur, or dry-bush weasel lemur (Lepilemur leucopus)
Description
The white-footed sportive lemur, white-footed weasel lemur, or dry-bush weasel lemur (Lepilemur leucopus) is a species of lemur in the family Lepilemuridae.
Similar in appearance to other lemurs in its family, the back is grey, the belly is light grey and the tail is light brown.
Distribution
Endemic to Madagascar, it inhabits tropical and subtropical forest areas in the south. The range is small, and is found between the Menarandra and Mandraré rivers. The population density in the Berenti Sanctuary is estimated at several hundred individuals per km2.
Lifestyle and feeding habits
Nocturnal, predominantly arboreal lifestyle. Its diet consists mainly of leaves. The lemur is a coprophagous and feeds on its own faeces to digest the cellulose contained in the leaves.
Social behaviour
It forms small groups with the mother and her young. Males live together in an area overlapping several females. Females encounter males while foraging or grooming. The species is polygynous, and males often mate with several females.
Lepilemur leucopus on the Red List
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the species as "endangered". The main threat to the species is habitat destruction. The habitat of Lepilemur leucopus is subject to logging for agriculture and coal mining. Legally protected populations are found in the Berenti Private Reserve and in the Andujahuela National Park.
