# Eulemur macaco The Black Lemur is a playful and curious primate found in Madagascar. They have fluffy black fur and big, bright eyes that help them see in the dark. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Black Lemur ![Eulemur macaco](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eulemur_macaco_female_01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Original uploader was Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eulemur_macaco_female_01.jpg) ## Appearance The Eulemur macaco is a medium-sized lemur known for its striking sexual dimorphism. Males are entirely covered in glossy black fur with dark eyes, while females have reddish-brown fur, a lighter underside, and prominent white or reddish-white ear tufts. Both sexes have a long, bushy tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Primates - **Family:** Lemuridae - **Genus:** Eulemur ## Interesting facts - Black Lemurs are one of the few primates that can switch between being active day or night! - Sometimes, males are born with lighter fur that darkens completely to black as they grow up! - They 'purr' and chatter like cats, making many different sounds to talk to each other! - This lemur often rubs poisonous millipedes on its fur to keep pesky insect bites away! ## Special abilities - **Twilight Vision:** Eulemur macaco can be active day or night because of special eyes that help them find food when others sleep. - **Leaping Master:** Eulemur macaco has powerful legs that help them jump over 10 meters between trees with incredible agility. - **Scent Seeker:** Eulemur macaco can track delicious fruits and flowers using a keen sense of smell that guides them. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 89-109 cm - **Weight:** 1.8-2.9 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 120-129 days ## Diet & Feeding This lemur enjoys a tasty mix of delicious fruits, juicy leaves, bright flowers, nectar, and even insects! - **Primary Foods:** Fruits, Leaves, Flowers, Nectar, Insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Fossa](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fossa) (*Cryptoprocta ferox*) — is a primary predator, hunting these lemurs in the forests. - **Eats:** [Fig tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fig-tree) (*Ficus greveana*) — consumes its fruits, helping to spread the tree's seeds. - **Shelter:** Traveler's Palm (*Ravenala madagascariensis*) — finds shelter and sometimes food in its large, fanned leaves. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch lemurs from a distance and never try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eulemur macaco? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eulemur macaco? 89-109 cm ### How much does Eulemur macaco weigh? 1.8-2.9 kg ### How long does Eulemur macaco live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Eulemur macaco move? 25 km/h ### What does Eulemur macaco eat? This lemur enjoys a tasty mix of delicious fruits, juicy leaves, bright flowers, nectar, and even insects! ### Where is Eulemur macaco usually found? Forests ### How does Eulemur macaco hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Eulemur macaco: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eulemur-macaco)