Common Name:
Sifakas
Scientific Name:
Propithecus
Wild Status:
Vulnerable to critically endangered, varies with species.
Habitat:
forests and rainforests
Country:
Madagascar
Shelter:
Trees
Life Span:
20 years
Size:
1.5-3.5 ft, 7-13 lbs
Cool Facts:
- There are 9 species of sifakas.
- Sifakas are herbivores. They primarily feed on leaves, fruits, an flowers.
- They are territorial and form larger groups compared to related species.
- Fossa, hawks, and snakes are natural predators of sifakas.
- Sifakas give birth to a single offspring. The young hold on to the mother's belly, then the mother's back, until they are ready to maneuver through the trees on their own.
Details:
Sifakas are medium-sized lemurs of the family Indriidae. They have a long tail that is as long as their body. The patterns and color of the sifaka vary by species, ranging from a yellow white to blackish-brown. Sifakas have silky long hair and a round, black face. They have large, round eyes, and large ears. They have five digits on their specialized hands and feet. Their big toes are opposable and their second toe has a grooming claw.
Taxonomic Breakdown:
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Suborder: Strepsirrhini Family: Indriidae Genus: Propithecus
Conservation & Helping:
Sifaka species are listed at endangered to critically endangered on the IUCN Red list. As endemic species to the island of Madagascar, they are vulnerable to their already-limited range. Their habitat it quickly bein burned and cleared for agriculture and human-use. They are also poached for their meat. Conservation efforts seek the help of locals report when sifakas are seen, to keep track of their population. there are many efforts to discourage the native people of Madagascar from hunting sifakas and destroying their habitat. For some species, such as the Silky sifaka, time is running out, with as little as 100 individuals remaining in the wild.For Teachers and Educators
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