rufus Microcebus The Microcebus rufus, more commonly known as the brown mouse lemur, may not appear to look like a primate, but does in fact belong to the Cheirogaleidae family of Lemuriformes (Atsalis p. 2). Weighing about two ounces and measuring at four to five inches in length, the brown mouse lemur may be one of the smallest living primates at this time (Encyclopedia of Animals p. 1). The Microcebus rufus has many distinct characteristics that make it unique from any other primate. All brown mouse lemurs live in the northern and eastern areas of Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa (Esser p. 1). They occupy primary and secondary forests and also populate secondary bamboo forests and rainforests located on the coast of Madagascar (Esser p. 1). Not only do these lemurs live in the natural wild, but they also are protected in areas such as the Montagne d' Ambre National Park, Ranomafana National Park, Marojeiy Nature Reserve, and Zahamena Nature Reserve (Esser p. 1). Mouse lemurs are considered to be at risk of endangerment because of the rapid deforestation rate in Madagascar. However, they are still quite common throughout the island (Esser p. 1). Brown mouse lemurs live in all heights of the forest and their primary form of locomotion is quadrupedal (Encyclopedia of Animals p. 1). They also are vertical clingers and leap between trees during their nocturnal activity and their large eyes help them to see very well at night. This trait improves their ability to leap from branch to branch (Encyclopedia of Animals p. 1) Microcebus rufus eat a wide variety of food and they are omnivorous (Encyclopedia of Animals p.1). Their diet includes insects, fruit, young leaves, flowers,
plant and gums small vertebrate animals (Encyclopedia of Animals p.1 and Atsalis p. 29). Their preferred fruit is Bakerella, which is part of their diet the majority of the year (Atsalis p. 21). This fruit is sought out by lemurs because of its high fiber and fat content (Esser p. 1). Lemurs also eat many insects with a preference towards Coleoptera (Atsalis p. 26). Roughly, the diet of a brown mouse lemur is made up of 50% fruit, 30% insects and 20% of other forms of food. Mouse lemurs have no specializations on their body to help them catch food. They simply must gather food with their two front "hands." However, their tail serves as a place to store food in the form of fat for when there is less availability of food or they become less active (Encyclopedia of Animals p. 1). The mating season for brown mouse lemurs is between September and October with a gestation period of 60 days (Esser p. 1). On average, there are one to three babies in each litter, sometimes producing two litters per year in captivity (Esser p. 1). The infants are usually born in November and December and the mother is extremely dedicated in caring for her young during the first three weeks of their birth, rarely leaving the nest (Esser p. 1). After about two months, usually during the month of February when food supply is abundant, the infants no longer need to nurse and can successfully take care of themselves (Esser p. 1). Although the Microcebus rufus is one of the smallest primates, it is also one of the most unique. However, it also has many traits that make it similar to other primates as well. Despite the differences and similarities, the brown mouse lemur is certainly a distinct primate.