Propithecus verreauxi
Verreaux's sifaka

Propithecus verreauxi is found in sections of southwest Madagascar.

Verreaux's sifakas, P. verreauxi, inhabit deciduous and evergreen forests of Madagascar. They are usually found in areas with large trees.

For the genus Propithecus, total body length is 450 to 550 mm. The tail adds 432 to 560 mm to the total length of these animals. Weights between 4 adn 6 kg are common.

The pelage is long, soft, and woolly above but less dense and shorter below. The color of the fur is quite variable including white, black, brown, and gray in many patterns. The face is furless and black.

Sifakas have short arms with small skin membranes at the base that possibly assist in gliding. These membranes limit arm movement. The thumbs are slightly opposable to the fingers. The back legs are large and powerful. The feet and hands are quite large.

Propithecus is distinguished from indris by its smaller ears and longer tail.

A captive member of this species is known to have lived more than 23 years in captivity. It is likely that the lifespan in the wild is somewhat shorter than this.

Verreaux's sifakas live in groups of 3 to 13 individuals. The average group size is 5.9. In the groups there are usually equal numbers of adult males and females with many young. Group members usually stay within sight of each other, and in the non-breeding season they are quite friendly with frequent playing.

Sifaka groups are territorial and have home ranges around 1 to 9 ha. in size. Both males and females mark the territory. Females mark with their genitals, whereas males use special scent glands on their throats

Sifakas are diurnal. They move around 800 meters per day, covering their home ranges in 10 to 20 days. During this sweep of the territory, they occasionally encounter other "invading" groups. When two groups come together, the confrontation consists of leaping at each other, growling, and scent marking. No physical contact is involved.

Sifakas communicate with conspecifics using growls, humming, barks, and howls. These sounds are used to warn of predators in the area and to find separated group members. The distinct "si-fa-ka" call is used as a ground predator warning call.

In addition to these auditory signals, sifakas use visual signals such as body postures and facial expressions in their communication.

Chemical communication, in the form of scent marking, takes place. Both males and females perform scent marking, although they use different scents and glands for the task.

Finally, sifakas use tactile communication. Grooming is a common behavior within social groups. Mothers and their offspring use tactile cues in communicating, as do mates. Playful contact and aggressive contact both occur in these animals.

Verreaux's sifakas eat basically all above-ground plant material. They sometimes consume soil, which is thought to help digestion. In the rainy season they eat more fruits and flowers, whereas in the dry season they consume mainly dead wood, bark, and leaves. The material they eat during the dry season possibly helps them absorb more water. They tend to pull food to their mouths or eat it directly with the mouth. There is little handling or manipulating of the food with the hands. Sifakas occasionally roam on the ground to find food.

Although data on predation for these animals are lacking, it is likely that they are prey for fossas and for raptors.

As frugivores, these lemurs probably aid in seed dispersal. To the extent that they serve as prey for other animals, they may have a role in local food webs.

There are no documented examples of negative impact of this species on humans.

The presence of Verreaux's sifakas could be beneficial for tourism. They are also a highly studied species, which brings many scientists into the area possibly helping the local economies. They may be used for bush meat.

Propithecus verreauxi is an endangered species. Habitat destruction for fuel, farmland, and timber is the main cause for their decline. IUCN lists different subspecies of this species as vulnerable or endangered. On a positive note, they have been sucessfully bred in captivity.

Verreaux's sifakas can leap 10 meters from tree to tree using just their hind legs.