Virtual Non-Human Primate Zoo
Photo Source: http://www.arkive.org/verreauxs-sifaka/propithecus-verreauxi/image-G1552.html
Photo Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verreaux's_sifaka
Photo Source: http://www.lynxeds.com/hmw/photo/verreauxs-sifaka
Verreaux's Sifaka - Propithecus verreauxi
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
Order: Primates
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Infraorder: Lemuriformes
Superfamily: Lemuroidea
Family: Indriidae
Genus: Propithecus
Species: verreauxi
COMMON NAME: Verreaux's Sifaka
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: South-Western Madagascar
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from the Tsiribihina River to the Andohahela region
HABITAT:
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tropical dry lowland forest
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montane forest at 1,300 metres (4,200 feet) above sea level
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lowland, humid rainforest
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
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body length averages between 40-47.5 cm (1.3-1.5 feet)
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tail length ranges between 50-60 cm (1.6-1.9 feet)
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weight from 3-6 kilos (7-13 pounds)
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long, thick, soft hair that is mostly white
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dark brown crown that extends down the back of its neck
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face is dark grey or black
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yellow eyes
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fur is thinner on its chest, belly and underarms allowing the grey skin to show through
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male Verreaux's sifakas may have a faint reddish-brown area on the chest
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arms are short, somewhat limiting movement, however
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hind limbs are large and strong
DIET: Herbivore
They have been known to eat about 100 different plants.
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leaves
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flowers
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fruit
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buds
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tree bark.
LOCOMOTION TYPE:
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arboreal: vertical leaping and clinging
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terrestrial: bipedal hopping
SOCIAL GROUP ORGANIZATION:
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live in groups of 3 to 10 individuals
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including only 1 breeding female
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males may move from group to group
PARENTAL CARE:
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young are cared for by adults
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parental care continues until young reach full size at about 21 months
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mothers carry newborn sifakas near their chest and abdomen for the first 2 to 3 months after birth and then on her back until offspring reach about 6 months of age
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mother's position in the social hierarchy affects the social status of her young
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females stay with the group
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males either stay with the group or leave to form their own
COMMUNICATION:
Clear, deep barks or growling
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sounds similar to the word “sifaka”
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produced only when intruders are nearby
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made by the group leader
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:
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group called a 'troop'
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looks similar to children's television program character, Zoboomafoo
ENDANGERMENT STATUS: Vulnerable
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threatened by the destruction of their forest habitats
To learn more about Propithecus verreauxi, visit the following websites:
Information and photographs compiled by M. Lopez and N. Velazquez.