Eulemur mongoz
mongoose lemur

Mongoose lemurs, Eulemur mongoz, are found in northwest Madagascar and on the Comoro Islands of Moheli and Anjouan.

Eulemur mongoz may be found in two different habitats. On the island of Madagascar, they are found in drier forests with deciduous trees. However, on the smaller islands, they are found in more humid forests. ("Primate Center at Duke University", July 31, 1999)

Mongoose lemurs are the smallest species of the genus Eulemur, which includes five species. Head and body length averages 35 cm and the tail length averages 48 cm. These animals weigh between 2 and 3 kg.

Pelage in this species is sexually dimorphic. It is woolly and the tails are bushy and gray in both sexes. Males have a gray body with red fur on the side of the body and the face. Males have white beards when they are born that turn red as they grow older. Females are darker gray than males and they have white fur on the sides of the body and face.

Mongoose lemurs have binocular vision, as in other lemurs, and their noses have a rhinarium (unfused nasal projection) to aid in olfactory communication. ("Primate Center at Duke University", July 31, 1999; Flannery, August 25, 2000; Hill, 1953)

In some areas, these animal appear to form stable monogamous pair bonds. It is possible that in other areas these animals are polygynous, as are other members of the genus. (Nowak, 1999)

Mongoose lemurs reach sexual maturity at about 2 years of age.

Mating is seasonal. Females experience estrus for about one month between April and June. They give birth to a single offspring per year, though twins are not rare. Young are usually born from August to October after a gestation period of about 128 days. Newborn lemurs weigh about 60 to 70 grams at birth and are weaned from their mother at about 135 days of age. ("Primate Center at Duke University", July 31, 1999; Nowak, 1999)

Female mongoose lemurs care for their young and nurse them until they are about 135 days old. Maternal care includes grooming, playing, and socialization, as well as carrying of the young when they are small. The role of males in parental care has not been described.

The lifespan of these animals has not been reported. However, another member of the genus, Eulemur fulvus is known to have reached an age of 36 years in captivity. An individual which was a hybrid of E. fulvus and Eulemur macaco lived for 39 years in captivity. It is likely that E. mongoz is similarly long lived, although wild lifespan is likely to be shorter than that seen in captivity. (Nowak, 1999)

Mongoose lemurs have a very different behavioral pattern than that of most primates. Individual activity patterns vary between populations and depending on the season. During dry seasons mongoose lemurs tend to be nocturnal. They will switch to diurnal activity at the start of a cold, wet season.

Mongoose lemurs live in small groups of about 3 to 4 individuals; an adult male, adult female, and their offspring. Male and female offspring are forced to leave their group when they are mature, at around 2.5 to 3.5 years old. Females are generally dominant to males, giving the females predominant choice of food and mates.

Groups of E. mongoz have small home ranges and mark their territory with scent and vocalizations. Grooming is used to create and enhance social bonds between group members. ("Primate Center at Duke University", July 31, 1999; Fleagle, 1988)

As in all primates, communication is varied and complex. Visual signals, such as facial expressions and body postures, are often used in communication. In addition, vocalizations are used, especially in marking territories. Chemical communication (i.e. scent marks) are used in marking territories as well. Tactile communication occurs between members of a social group and may include grooming, agonsism, and play. ("Primate Center at Duke University", July 31, 1999; Flannery, August 25, 2000; Nowak, 1999)

Mongoose lemurs first begin to eat solid food when they are about 5 weeks of age (around the same time they take their first steps). They taste whatever the older members of the group are eating, which includes flowers, pollen, fruit, and leaves.

Mongoose lemurs have very small upper incisors and upper canines and their premolars become vertically smaller posteriorly. The molars are hypocone, but the trigonids and talonids become less distinct toward the posterior. Eulemur species have dental formulas of 0-2/2, 1/1, 3/3, 3/3=32-36. ("Primate Center at Duke University", July 31, 1999; Hill, 1953; Nowak, 1999; Vaughan, et al., 2000)

Details regarding predation upon these animals are lacking. However, it is likely that fossas and raptors may be predators.

Because they are frugivorous, these animals may help in dispersing seeds. When they feed upon pollen, they may help some species to pollinate. To the extent that these lemurs are preyed upon by other animals, they may affect local food webs.

Eulemur mongoz is hunted for food and for sale into the pet trade. All lemurs are captivating animals and may play some role in attracting tourists to Madagascar. (Nowak, 1999)

Mongoose lemurs have been hunted and trapped by humans because of their assumed role in raiding and destroying crops. (Nowak, 1999)

There are only about 100 mongoose lemurs in captivity worldwide and their habitats are disappearing. Land that is inhabited by mongoose lemurs is being cleared to produce charcoal and farm land. It has been illegal to kill lemurs since 1974, but many local people are unaware of the law. In 1996, IUCN considered the species vulnerable, the CITES have E. mongoz on appendix I and the USDI lists all species of Eulemur as endangered. ("Primate Center at Duke University", July 31, 1999; Nowak, 1999)