Blue-eyed black lemurs among most endangered species

Photo: New England Primate Conservancy

Blue-eyed black lemurs are one of the most endangered primates in the world, found in the northwestern region of Madagascar. They have one of the smallest geographical ranges, limited to the southern part of the Sambirano region. This area is known for having habitats with rainforest and dry deciduous forest-type trees. So these lemurs have adapted to different types of food sources including forests that have been disturbed by human development such as plantations.

Blue-eyed black lemurs (sometimes called Sclater’s lemurs) are one of the least studied lemur species in the world. They were first described in 1867, but no one published any studies on them until 1985! Between those years, people even doubted the species existed, as no one reported further sightings. They were once classified as a subspecies of the black lemur (Eulemur macaco), but the geographical separation of the two species by the Andramaloza River and in-depth genetic studies have shown them to be a separate and distinct species.

Their common name comes from the males’ dark fur and contrasting light eyes. Their scientific species name “flavifrons“, comes from the yellow brow of the females. These lemurs have some geographical overlap with the black lemur (Eulemur macaco) and, in these areas, mating between the species results in hybrid young with lighter eyes than the black lemur (that is, light brown eyes).

These lemurs are strikingly beautiful as they curiously peer into the world with their highly contrasting fur and eye color.  As their name suggests, blue-eyed black lemurs have large bluish-gray or bluish-green eyes and are covered in black fur. They have the classic lemur face with a fox-like elongated snout. Their long, bushy tails usually do not touch the ground as they hold their tails upright with an S-shaped curve at the end.

Blue-eyed black lemurs are arboreal and spend most of their time in trees. They move by vertically clinging onto trees and leaping in a similar vertical position from one tree to another. While they feed on fruits and forage for leaves, they walk on all fours on tree branches. 

Female blue-eyed black lemurs are more aggressive than other lemur species, and they are dominant over the males within their troop. Females also show territorial behavior and actively chase out other female intruders. This phenomenon of female aggression and dominance is rare among mammals and is referred to as the Female Challenge (or Masculinization) Hypothesis. 

For more about these unusual creatures, visit https://neprimateconservancy.org/blue-eyed-black-lemur/

The New England Primate Conservancy

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