Weasel sportive lemur

Weasel sportive lemur
Illustration published in 1868
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Family: Lepilemuridae
Genus: Lepilemur
Species:
L. mustelinus
Binomial name
Lepilemur mustelinus
Distribution of L. mustelinus
Synonyms
  • caniceps Peters, 1875

The weasel sportive lemur (Lepilemur mustelinus), also known as the greater sportive lemur, weasel lemur, or greater weasel lemur, is a species of lemur native to northeastern Madagascar. Its habitat includes rainforests and tropical rainforests. Its dorsal side is a reddish-brown colour, and greyish brown ventrally. Its colour darkens towards the tip of its tail. Individuals weigh from 0.8 to 1.2 kg (1.8 to 2.6 lb) It has long, soft fur. Its body length is approximately 22–30 cm (8.7–11.8 in) and a tail length of 23–27 cm (9.1–10.6 in).[4]

The weasel sportive lemur is predominantly a leaf-eater, although it supplements its diet with fruits and flowers. It is an arboreal species, and travels through the trees by leaping. As with other leaping primates, it has stereoscopic vision that enables it to determine distances precisely. Groups consist solely of a mother and its offspring; the males are solitary, and are very territorial. Each weasel sportive lemur occupies a territory of 1⁄2 to 1‑1⁄4 acres (1500–5000 m2). Like some other lemurs, they are nocturnal.[5]

  1. ^ LaFleur, M. (2020). "Lepilemur mustelinus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T11620A115566646. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T11620A115566646.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference CITES-Lepil-mustel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference MSW3-id-12100072-pp118-119 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ramarmlto-Lei-etal-2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference AnmDiv-Lepil-mustel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).