Dwarf Lemur Characteristics

Species Name: Cheirogaleus brevi
Common Name: Short-Tailed Dwarf Lemur

Physical Features:
The Cheirogaleus brevi is a small primate, weighing between 110 and 150 grams with a head and body length averaging 21 centimeters. They are covered in soft, light brown fur, that is usually streaked with white and grey stripes. The stripes are concentrated on the stomach, and slowly radiate out to cover the entire body. The color of the fur acts as forest camouflage to prevent predator attacks. Their large eyes are front-facing with small, grey irises, and their ears are large and upright. The common name of Short-Tailed Dwarf Lemur is the result of the primates’ unusually short tail. Unlike the closely related Cheirogaleus medius, the Short-Tailed Dwarf Lemur does not need a long tail to store fat for hibernation, as they do not hibernate. The tail of a Short-Tailed Dwarf Lemur

The two lemurs are closely related, therefore having many similar traits. However, due to evolution, there is major variation of the tail between the two. Fat-Tailed Dwarf Lemurs have long, thick tails that are used to store fat that can be used during hibernation. These lemurs must hibernate to survive western Madagascar’s dry season, a time where low water supply causes food scarcity. Due to the extreme differences in seasonal climate of western Madagascar and northeastern Madagascar, the primates in the two areas have evolved differently. The northeastern coast of Madagascar does not experience dry seasons, instead having a wet, tropical climate that supports the rainforest. Therefore, there are not continuous periods of food scarcity that would force a lemur into hibernation. Because of this, the Short-Tailed Dwarf Lemurs native to the coastline evolved in different way, instead evolving with shorter tails to more agile movement in the more dangerous rainforest