Gentle Lemur Factfile
 |
Scientific Name : hapalemur alaotrensis
World Distribution
Gentle lemurs are found only around the shores of Lac Alaotra in Madagascar. Nowadays, because of habitat destruction, they are confined mainly to the southwest corner of the lake, with just a few on the northern shore.
Habitat
They live only in the reed and papyrus swamps that surround Lac Alaotra.
Feeding
Although gentle lemurs are classed as "bamboo lemurs", they don't actually eat bamboo, feeding instead on the shoots of the papyrus plant. Because their food is not very nutritious, they need to spend much of their time eating!
Predators
Their main predator is man. Many people around Lac Alaotra eat gentle lemurs, sometimes deliberately starting fires to drive the lemurs into the path of the hunters.
Breeding
Gentle lemurs tend to live together in small family groups, with a mother, father, and their offspring. The female usually gives birth once a year, to either a single baby or twins. Her pregnancy lasts for around five months.
Baby gentle lemurs are born with their eyes open and with fur. They feed from their mother's milk for about 4 months. Most of the time they cling to their mother's fur and travel around with her. When they are two years old they are adults, and may leave their parents to start families of their own.