Prolemur simus
greater bamboo lemur

Greater bamboo lemurs, Prolemur simus, are currently endemic to Madagascar. Although subfossil remains indicate they once had a widespread distribution covering the northern, north-western, central, and eastern parts of Madagascar, this species currently occupies only 1 to 4 % of its original historical habitat. Greater bamboo lemurs are generally restricted to the protected areas of Ranomafana National Park located in southeastern Madagascar. Sightings of these lemurs are few although there have been a few sightings of lemur populations living in the Andringrita Massif and near Vondrozo in Madagascar. ("Arkive: Images of Life on Earth", 2003; Andrainarivo, et al., 2008)

Greater bamboo lemurs reside in humid primary rainforests in which giant bamboo trees are abundant. They make their homes in bamboo thickets. This species has been recorded at elevations of 121 to 1,600 m. ("Arkive: Images of Life on Earth", 2003; "BBC, Nature & Science", 2009; Massicot, 1999)

Greater bamboo lemurs are the largest bamboo-eating lemurs found in Madagascar. They have a head and body length of 40 to 45 cm and a tail length of 43 to 48 cm. Their tails and back legs are relatively long. Females weigh up to 2.1 kg whereas males weigh up to 2.4 kg. Their coat color ranges from a reddish-grey to an olive brown. A prominent feature of this species is the presence of tufts of white fur by their ears. However, a recently discovered population of this species, golden bamboo lemurs, have a deep golden-red coat and surprisingly no ear tufts. Greater bamboo lemurs have a blunt muzzle which gives their face a rounded appearance distinguishing them from other members of their family. ("Arkive: Images of Life on Earth", 2003; "BBC, Nature & Science", 2009; Massicot, 1999)

Greater bamboo lemurs are polygynous, but little other information is available regarding the mating systems of this species. (Andrainarivo, et al., 2008)

Greater bamboo lemurs mate between May and June, and they give birth during the transitional dry and wet seasons in November. The average gestation period is 142 to 149 days. Each female gives birth to only 1 young. The young are weaned after about 8 months, and male offspring disperse from their natal social group between 3 and 4 years of age. ("BBC, Nature & Science", 2009; "BBC, Nature & Science", 2009; Massicot, 1999)

Mother greater bamboo lemurs take care of their young and remain with them until they are about 5 weeks old. Between 7 and 8 weeks of age, the infant nurses less and begins to explore areas farther away from its mother. ("The Primata", 2007)

The lifespan of greater bamboo lemurs is currently unknown.

Greater bamboo lemurs are crepuscular, primarily active at dawn and dusk, though they are also active well into the night. Although they are arboreal, this speices spend quite a bit of time on the ground as well. This species lives in groups of 4 to 7 individuals, though groups of up to 12 individuals have also been observed. The typical social structure for groups of lemurs is unclear. Male greater bamboo lemurs are thought to be dominant over females, unusual among lemurs. Greater bamboo lemurs may also form groups with brown lemurs and gray gentle lemurs. ("Arkive: Images of Life on Earth", 2003; "BBC, Nature & Science", 2009; "The Primata", 2007; Massicot, 1999; Mittermeier, et al., 2005)

The home range for the greater bamboo lemurs is around 40 to 60 ha or greater. (Andrainarivo, et al., 2008; Massicot, 1999)

Greater bamboo lemurs have two calls used for communication: the contact call and the alarm call. The contact call is a powerful yelping sound that acts as a group-cohesion signal. Its intensity rises and falls rapidly with the progression of the call. The alarm call is sounded when individual lemurs are disturbed or frightened by other animals in the forest. It begins as a low-pitched roar that decreases in intensity the longer the call lasts. The alarm call has 2 parts, which sound something like "ouik-grrraaa," that are emitted in rapid sequences. ("The Primata", 2007)

98% of the diet of greater bamboo lemurs consists of the bamboo species Cathariostachys madagascariensis, giant bamboo. Greater bamboo lemurs have molars specialized for bamboo. It is unknown how their metabolism processes the cyanide found in bamboo shoots; the amount consumed in one day would be enough to kill a human. Feeding habits of greater bamboo lemurs vary with the season. Between July and November these lemurs consume the pith of the giant bamboo. They have powerful jaws which are used to tear apart the wooden bamboo poles and obtain the soft pith inside. In December when the new bamboo starts appearing, this species switches to bamboo shoots. The other 2 % of its diet consists of flowers, leaves, soils, and fruits. The greater bamboo lemur also eats mature leaves that the other bamboo lemur species will not. ("Arkive: Images of Life on Earth", 2003; "BBC, Nature & Science", 2009; "Nation Master", 2005; Andrainarivo, et al., 2008; Jernvall, et al., 2007; Massicot, 1999)

The only confirmed predator of the greater bamboo lemurs are fossa, although certain raptors are also suspected to prey on lemurs. Human hunters also have been known to target lemurs, including this species. ("Nation Master", 2005)

Greater bamboo lemurs may act as seed dispersers for bamboo and other plants. They are also prey to fossa. Very little research, however, has been conducted regarding how this species impacts the local ecosystem.

Because the the greater bamboo lemur is endemic to Madagascar and endangered, they may play a role in the tourism economy of Madagascar.

There are no known adverse effects of Prolemur simus on humans.

Currently, greater bamboo lemurs have the smallest population size of any other lemur species in Madagascar. In 20 years of regional surveys, only 12 groups of greater bamboo lemurs totaling less than 100 individuals have been documented. In Ranomafana National Park during a 400 day census only 3 groups were found totaling 20 individuals. Their habitat is threatened by slash-and-burn agriculture, illegal logging, and the extensive cutting down of bamboo. In some areas greater bamboo lemurs are being hunted with slingshots and snares. The IUCN lists this species are critically endangered. ("Arkive: Images of Life on Earth", 2003; Andrainarivo, et al., 2008; Massicot, 1999)