TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
-Film Synopsis
-Programme Objectives
-Curriculum Objectives
Film and Curriculum Vocabulary
Pages 2-3
Introduction to Lemur Natural History
A Guide to Modern Lemurs (6 species)
Projects For Individuals and Classes
Work Sheets and Quizzes
Answers and Solutions
Illustrations
Sources and Resources
Pages 6-8
Pages 9-14
Pages 15-18
Pages 19-25
Pages 26-27
Pages 28-32
Pages 33
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
Pages 4-5
1
INTRODUCTION
FILM SYNOPSIS
At the Tiger Homes Sanctuary, wildlife zoo keepers Jason and Rachel introduce
students to four types of lemurs including 3 species and one subspecies, that live
in captivity at the center. We see them fed, learn about their anatomy, their
habitats, and some of the characteristics that define these amazing mammals that
are found only on the island of Madagascar. The team also introduces viewers to
the Tiger Homes Web site www.tigerhomes.org where they can log on and
observe the lemurs (and other species) in their sanctuary habitats.
PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
“Lemurs: Tails Form The Canopy” introduces students to the family of mammals
called Lemurs. Through the eyes and narration of the wildlife conservationists at
“Tiger Homes Sanctuary,” where four different kinds of these endangered
primates are raised, students learn about the characteristics that define lemurs,
about the characteristics that separate one lemur species from another, and a
little bit about their lives in the wild and in captivity. The film also shows how
wild animals are cared for in captivity at the Sanctuary.
From the film and related activities students should have an initial understanding
of the following concepts:
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•
•
•
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•
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Definition of a species
Introductory understanding of the ordering of the animal kingdom
Basic definition of primates
In depth understanding of lemurs
Some threats to lemurs in the wild
How lemurs are similar to other primates
How lemurs differ from other primates
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What animal anatomy can tell an observer about a species’ habitats and life style
How interactive and informational internet resources can add to a student’s
understanding of science, particularly wildlife and lemurs
Practical application of some internet skills as they relate to animal behavior
Imaginative responses to zoological ideas
Curriculum Objectives
This Curriculum is designed to give teachers some very basic background information
about Lemurs and their place in the animal kingdom in order to better help them teach
about lemurs, and if they so choose, to use an understanding of Lemurs to pursue further
explorations in zoology, wildlife and conservation. A set of activities in the form of
longer projects and shorter work sheets and quizzes have been provided to enhance
students understanding not only of lemurs but other zoological concepts and methods as
well. Teachers are encouraged to modify any of these activities to best serve the learning
needs of their students.
Elements of this programme (Field guide entries, quizzes, and work sheets) have been
formatted to allow teachers to photocopy them easily for class distribution.
The project length activities can be used and modified for a broad range of ages and
learning abilities.
Each of the three quizzes varies in degree of difficulty. #1 is the easiest and is designed
for grades 3-5, #3 is appropriate for students up to the high school level. Answer keys
are provided.
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Vocabulary
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Lemurs: Family of 22 species of prosimians that live exclusively on the islands of
Madagascar and Comoro. Most lemurs are arboreal. They live in a wide variety of
habitats and feed on plants and insects. Most lemurs are long limbed. They can be
diurnal or nocturnal or crepuscular. They have long, well developed tails.
•
Prosimian: Sub group of the mammal order of primates. Prosimians are generally
considered to be the older branch of the family and include lemurs, lorises, pottos,
bushbabies and tarsiers.
•
Primate: An order of mammals that include prosimians, monkeys, apes and humans.
All have well-developed binocular vision, and prehensile digits (fingers and toes).
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Madagascar: Island nation in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. Fourth
largest island in the world. Many of the native plants and animals are unique to the
island.
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Habitat: The natural home of an organism.
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Ecosystem: A community of organisms and the physical environment in which they
interact.
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Fossa: The largest carnivore on Madagascar most closely related to the mongoose.
Chief predator of many species of lemur.
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Predator: An animal that feeds on other animals.
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Arboreal: “Tree dwelling” Animals that spend most of their lives in the trees
are arboreal.
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Terrestrial: “Ground dwelling” Animals that spend most of their lives on the
ground are terrestrial.
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Olfaction: The sense of smell.
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Sexual Dimorphism: Differences in physical characteristics due to gender.
Example: Male gorillas are much larger than female gorillas…. In this species
size is a sexually dimorphic characteristic. In Mallard ducks, feather
colouration is a sexually dimorphic characteristic. Not all Lemurs are sexually
dimorphic but in Black Lemurs only the male is black; the female is primarily
brown.
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Species: Plants or animals with clearly defined characteristics that can
interbreed and produce viable (non sterile) offspring.
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•
Subspecies: Plants or animals that genetically belong to a particular species
but are distinct in geographic area, culture or minor physical variation
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Prehensile: Capable of grasping.
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Mandible: The jaw. In mammals and fish it usually refers to the lower jaw, in
birds it refers to upper and lower beak, and in arthropods, to the entire mouth.
•
Diurnal: Active during the day
•
Nocturnal: Active at night
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Crepuscular: Most active at dawn and dusk
•
Gestation: The process of being carried in the womb. In biological terms a
gestation period is the time between conception and birth.
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Lemurs: Natural History Introduction
What Is A Lemur?
A Lemur is a mammal, and a member of the primate order. They are prosimians,
which is a suborder of primate. The family of lemurs has many species. Exactly
how to count lemur species has been the subject of controversy but we have
followed the view of many zoologists and counted Dwarf lemurs and true lemurs
as part of the same family (Napier & Napier 1997) and therefor are counting 22
species.
Evolution
Lemurs are prosimians and are therefore considered older, and some would say
more ‘primitive’ members of the primate order. Primitive here should not be
considered a pejorative term but one that defines prosimians as lacking certain
physical attributes that emerged in later developing primates, and often retaining
characteristics lost by later evolving primates.
The ancestors of contemporary Lemurs came from Africa, although they may not
have originally evolved there; the fossil record is too scarce to draw clear
conclusions. While African lemurs became extinct probably due to competition
from later primates, monkeys and apes, these two groups never reached
Madagascar. Consequently, lemurs survived on this island and spread out and
diversified, ultimately evolving species adapted to all the ecosystems found on
the island.
Distinctive Lemur Physical Traits
Lemurs all have relatively long and slender limbs, a longer muzzle than later
primates do, and a slightly smaller brain. They all have a dental ‘comb’
comprised of the lower incisors, which they use for grooming. Lemurs use scent
marking in-addition to vocalizations as a means of communication and territorial
marking… a behavioral trait rarely found in later evolving primates.
Lemurs In The Animal Kingdom
Lemurs are a ‘Family’ of mammals in the animal kingdom. But what does this
really mean and how does it relate them to other animals?
Science understands the organization of nature to be hierarchical with each step
on the ladder or branch of the tree describing a degree of physical similarity, and
from more recent findings, genetic closeness. This branch of knowledge is called
taxonomy.
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
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The organization of living things can be seen like a pyramid or tree with seven
major levels or categories: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family Genus
Species.
There is a simple pneumonic that can help students remember the organization
of nature: Kangaroos Play Cellos, Orangutans Fiddle, Gorillas Sing.
If we take a Ring-tailed Lemur, we can trace it through the hierarchy of nature,
taxonomy as follows, it belongs to:
The Animal …Kingdom
sharing with all other members of this group the need to feed on organic matter
(unlike plants which can create energy using light and minerals)
The Chordate (or vertebrate) … Phylum
sharing with all other members of this group of animals, a back bone with a
hollow nerve chord
The Mammal … Class
sharing with all other members of this group of vertebrates, the ability to feed
their offspring on milk and having a body covering which includes fur
The Primate … Order
Sharing with all other members of this group of mammals, a thumb that can be
opposed to the other digits, binocular vision and various more broadly defined
characteristics (including high intelligence, relatively long maturation period for
the young, dental similarities, tendency for complex social organization, and
generally bearing one or two young)
The Lemuridae … Family
Sharing with other members of this group of primates, a slightly longer nose,
smaller brain, long slender limbs, a tail, more specific dental features including
the grooming comb formed by the lower incisor and canine teeth
The Lemur … Genus
Sharing with other members of this group of lemurs, scent marking methods,
vocalizations, aspects of social structure and overall body shape
The Ring-tailed Lemur … Species
A species is the primary unit of biological classification or taxonomy. Species
members share a basic genetic similarity and can interbreed and produce viable
or fertile offspring.
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It is important to be aware, when exploring the field of taxonomy, that as is true
in many branches of science, it is always changing and evolving. As our
knowledge deepens and our tools for investigation become more precise there
are often shifts and changes in how we describe an animal from a taxonomic
point of view. A classic case can be seen with Pandas. When first described by
European scientists they were classified as bears or ursids… a family of
carnivores (order) in the mammal class of vertebrate animals. Then for a few
decades, scientists thought that they weren’t bears and placed them, still within
the carnivore order… but in a family closer to raccoons. In the last fifteen years,
after further study and aided by the new science of gene mapping, pandas have
been returned to the bear family… an unusual case of an older view being (at
least for now) correct after all.
If you choose to explore taxonomy with your students it is wise to avoid too
many absolutes and to encourage a questioning environment in your discussions.
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
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A Guide To Modern Lemurs
There are 22 species of modern lemurs living on the island of Madagascar and sometimes
on the surrounding and small Comoro Islands. They inhabit a broad range of habitats and
come in wide range of sizes and colours.
Below, in field guide format are described 6 species of lemur.
Indri (Indri Indri)
The largest living prosimian, Indris live in northeast Madagascar in coastal and mountain
rainforests. They are diurnal and arboreal.
Indris are almost tailless, have a dense coat of varying colours (often black and white),
with a black hairless face.
Indris have distinctive howling vocalizations, which they use to define territory.
Size:
Body length, 2 ½ feet
Weight, 15-16 lbs.
Life Cycle:
Weaning, 9 months
Sexual maturity, unknown
Life span, unknown
Reproduction:
Gestation Period, 150 days
Young /birth, 1
Birth season, May-June
Diet:
Leaves, flowers, fruits and buds of various plants
Predators:
Birds of prey, fossas
Social Structure:
Sometime solitary, more often live in groups of 3-6 individuals
Territory Size:
30-75 acres
Conservation Status: Endangered with extinction
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
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Aye Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
Aye Ayes are the rarest and perhaps the most unusual of all the lemur species. In fact,
they are believed to be the most diversely evolved primate in the world. They are
nocturnal arboreal primates now living in only two small areas of Madagascar, one on the
northeast coast, one on the northwest coast. Aye Ayes have long, dark, coarse fur, and a
characteristic very long thin middle finger, which they use for grooming and more
importantly for digging for insect larva in crevices and under the barks of trees.
Size:
Body Length, 18 inches
Weight, 4 ½ lbs.
Life Cycle:
Weaning, approx. 1 year
Sexual maturity, 3 years
Life Span, 23 years (recorded in captivity)
Reproduction:
Gestation Period, unknown
Young/birth, 1 per year
Birth Season, November
Diet:
Insect larva, fruit
Predators:
Fossas
Social Structure:
Solitary or small groups
Territory Size:
12-13 acres
Conservation Status:
Endangered
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Lesser Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus)
This lemur is the smallest of all the primates. Nocturnal, or Crepuscular and arboreal,
they have thick body hair but cannot completely regulate their own body temperature.
Therefore, in colder weather they enter a state called torpor… a condition like
hibernation.
Size:
Body Length, 4 ½ - 5 inches
Weight, 1 ½ - 2 ounces
Life Cycle:
Weaning, 45 days
Sexual maturity, 7–10 months
Life Span, 14 years (recorded in captivity)
Reproduction:
Gestation Period, 59-62 days
Young/birth, 2-3
Birth Season, variable but usually twice/year
Diet:
Flowers, fruit, lizards, insects
Predators:
Owls, and possibly other birds of prey
Social Structure:
Usually solitary but sometimes females form groups of up to 15 individuals
Territory Size:
Approximately 2 acres
Conservation Status:
Threatened
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
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Mongoose Lemur (Lemur mongoz)
Mongoose lemurs are medium sized members of the family and live in dry deciduous
forests in northwest Madagascar (and in the surrounding Comoro Islands). Their active
behavior can be diurnal or nocturnal depending on the season. While males and females
are the same size, they differ slightly in colour; both have a gray wooly base coat but the
sides of the female are white, and the sides of the male are reddish.
Size:
Body Length, 18 inches
Weight, 4 ½ lbs.
Life Cycle:
Weaning, 5 months
Sexual maturity, 18 months
Life Span, 26 years (recorded in captivity)
Reproduction:
Gestation Period, 120 days
Young/birth, 1
Birth Season, April - June
Diet:
All available vegetables
Predators:
Fossa, birds of prey
Social Structure:
Family groups of 6-8 members (males and females may form permanent pair bonds)
Territory Size:
Unknown
Conservation Status:
Endangered
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
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Verreaux’s Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi)
Sifakas are amongst the largest of the lemurs. They live in the dry deciduous forest of the
west coast of Madagascar and are diurnal, most active in the middle of the day, which is
rather unusual. They have silky white coats with patches of red or black on the sides, and
gray undersides, which they expose to sunlight in the early morning to help them warm
up. They also have a long flap of skin running from their underarms to their thighs,
which they spread when leaping.
Size:
Body Length, 20 inches
Weight, 11 lbs.
Life Cycle:
Weaning, 6 months
Sexual maturity, 2 years
Life Span, 18 years (recorded in captivity)
Reproduction:
Gestation Period, 150 days
Young/birth, 1
Birth Season, June - August
Diet:
Leaves, fruit, bark, flowers
Predators:
Fossa, birds of prey
Social Structure:
Family groups of 4-6 members (males and females may form permanent pair bonds)
Territory Size:
2 ½ - 7 ½ acres
Conservation Status:
Endangered
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
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Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta)
Illustration Copyright Stephen D. Nash Conservation International
Ring-tails are the most well known of the lemurs. They live in the Southwest corner of
Madagascar and are less arboreal than most of their cousins, being quite content to spend
large amounts of time on the ground. Males and females both have scent glands on their
inner forelegs (seen in the illustration above). Like the Sifakas, ring tailed lemurs like to
sun bathe and can be seen in the early morning hours with their undersides exposed to
catch the sun. They are also the most gregarious of the lemurs, forming large groups of
up to 30 individuals. In these groups, the young are cared for by all the females.
Size:
Body Length, 18 inches
Weight, 2 ½ - 8 lbs.
Life Cycle:
Weaning, 6 months
Sexual maturity, 15 months
Life Span, 20 years (recorded in captivity)
Reproduction:
Gestation Period, 132-134 days
Young/birth, 1 or 2
Birth Season, varies
Diet:
Leaves, fruit, bark, flowers, grasses
Predators:
Fossa, birds of prey
Social Structure:
Family groups up to 30 members (males and females may form permanent pair bonds)
Territory Size:
13-50 acres
Conservation Status:
Threatened-endangered
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
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Projects for Individuals and Classes
What’s in a Name?
The word Lemur comes from the Latin and means ‘spirit of the dead.’ The lemurs
got their name from the Romans who explored Madagascar and heard the
primates before they saw them. The animals’ calls reminded the Romans of
ghosts and so they got their name.
Many species of animals have names which either come from a human
association…. As with Lemurs, or which have been given to certain human
characteristics such as a “Shrew.” But do lemurs really resemble ghosts; are
nagging, over talkative people really like shrews?
Have students explore 3 animal names with distinct cultural significance. Then
have them research the behavior of the animals they have chosen. Have them
explore the history of the names and report on their perceived appropriateness.
If I Were A Lemur
There are 22 species of lemur, from the largest the Indri… to the smallest, the
Mouse Lemur. Different species live in different habitats and have different diets,
social structures, and life styles. Some are nocturnal… some are diurnal. Have
each student pick a species of lemur and research its behavior, habitat and
conservation status. When they have completed their research have students write
a story, from their lemur’s perspective, about a day in the wild. The story should
reflect the information that each student has learned in research, as well as show
imaginative insight. (Students could also research the life and behavior of Fosse
and write the story from the predator’s perspective). Instead of a story some
students may want to take their research information and using art supplies create
a diorama of a particular lemur species habitat. They should try to reasonably
represent and label the plants and terrain, and include lemurs and predators in
realistic ways.
Eyes On The Lemur
The lemurs in the film live at the Tiger Homes Wildlife Sanctuary. As depicted in
the film, the sanctuary has a web site where individuals can watch the animals via
cameras in their enclosures. Have students pick one of the lemur species to
observe and have them log on to the web site www.tigerhomes.org once a day for a
week. Each day they should watch the behaviors of the lemurs and keep a log of
what they see. They can also do this in groups with each member of the group
observing the lemurs at the same time every day. Example student A watches and
logs behavior every day from 3:00p.m. to 3:20, student B observes and logs from
4:00-4:20, and so on. At the end of the observation period the students can put
their logs together to see a more comprehensive picture of the animals’ behavior
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
15
and habits. At the end of the research period students might want to email the
keepers at Tiger Home with questions that their observations may have raised.
Preserving Endangered Species
All 22 species of lemur are endangered or threatened in the wild. This is due at
least in part to the fact that all live on an island, and are found nowhere else in the
world. Human population growth and loss of habitat are the primary reason for
dwindling numbers of Lemurs in the wild.
While captive breeding programmes are not an ideal way of preserving a species,
in some cases, at least for the moment, it is a partial solution to the problem of
conserving populations. Good captive programmes like that practiced at Tiger
Homes involve an in depth awareness of the animals’ wild habitats, food sources,
and social structure.
Have students pick an endangered species that interests them. Have them
research the behavior of these animals in the wild and then design a captive
breeding and care programme that would help preserve the species until it is safe
for them to live in the wild. They should take into account such things as home
range size, territorial habits, social structure, food sources and methods of
attainment and anything else they consider significant.
Lemurs: Tales From The Web
The internet is a wonderful research tool for investigators of all ages and levels of
interest. It is also a tool which requires critical assessment. The following activity
is designed to help students learn more about lemurs, sharpen their investigative
skills, and apply critical judgement to their sources on the World Wild Web.
Have each student do a search of ‘The Web’ for lemur and/or primate web sights.
Each student should find and review 3 different sites (excluding tigerhomes.org),
rating each by one of the following criteria:
a)most informative b) most imaginative c) most amusing d) most
geographically interesting (where did the site originate… a lemur web site based
in Trinidad might fall into this category) e) weirdest f) worst.
In their reviews each student should identify (internet address and title) and
describe the web site, write a synopsis of its content and style, explain why it fits
into the chosen category and list something new that they learned at the site, or a
fact or claim about which they have a question.
When individuals have completed their reviews, the class should go to and
explore some of the more outstanding sites. If the class (or instructor) finds sites
of particular interest that are not already linked on the TigerHomes.org web page,
forward them and see what the naturalists at the sanctuary think of them.
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
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To Catch A Lemur
The above picture was taken via the web, from camera #1, in the ring-tailed lemur
enclosure at the Tiger Homes Sanctuary. Much better pictures can be taken but
regardless of quality the method is the same and not difficult.
Method:
1. Go to the web site www.tigerhomes.org
2. Pick a lemur species and proceed to that area of the site
3. Choose one of the cameras in the enclosure and click on it
4. Watch until an appealing or meaningful image appears
5. Right click on the picture
6. An options box will pop up asking the user to pick where they want to save the
image, it is easiest to save to a download file… save the image
7. Print the image or insert into a document
Have a class lemur photo contest. Explain the photograph capturing method to each
participant. Have students print their photos and display them in class. Have the class
determine the best images and put up a permanent display and/or send them on to the
Tiger Homes Sanctuary . Many categories can be represented: best behavior, most
artistic, funniest, etc.
Students can also capture numerous images and create a photographic essay, or use the
photographs to illustrate behavioral observations.
Model Behavior
Lemurs come in a wide range of sizes and colours… and live in a broad range of habitats.
Have students pick a species of lemur and make a scale model of the animal. Students
can use clay, paper mache, wood, plaster or any other appropriate material. The model
should be as close to realistic as possible. Web sites and written references will provide
detailed descriptions and often pictures to aid the students in creating an accurate model.
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
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A Lemur Field Guide
Using any one of the entries in the Field Guide section of the curriculum as a model, have
students pick three species of lemur and make a field guide of their own.
They can use the web and/or written sources for basic information, and in addition to the
basic description and characteristics of each species, they can include a map with the
species range and/or pictures or drawings of each animal.
At the end of the project students can take their individual field guide entries and compile
a class field guide to Lemurs.
It’s Not Tax, It’s Taxonomy
Using the information on taxonomy provided in the introduction, pick a species of lemur
and trace its place, from Kingdom to Species, in the hierarchy taxonomic structure of the
natural world. After illustrating the process for a lemur species, follow the same method
for another species. Pick a fairly common animal. For example the domestic dog is from
a species point of view, a wolf, Canis Lupus but belonging to a sub species
(Domesticus). Therefore their dog at home belongs to the:
Animal…Kingdom
Vertebrate…Phylum
Mammal…Class
Carnivore…Order
Canid… Family (includes foxes, wolves and coyotes)
Canid…Genus (wolves and coyotes)
Lupus (wolf) … Species
Once you feel your students have a grasp on the basic concept, have them pick three
different species, preferably not all mammals, and have them research and document their
taxonomy in this fairly simple manner.
A Lemur’s World
Modern Lemurs may be confined to a single large island and a small group of
surrounding islands (Madagascar and the Comoro Islands) but this part of the world
contains a broad range of habitats, from tropical rainforests and wetlands, to dry forests
and savannas. Different habitats support different species of lemurs, which have evolved
to live efficiently within the limits of their ecosystem. Have students research the
geography of Madagascar and create and illustrate a map showing the various habitats
and ecosystems present on the island. Then have them research three different species of
lemurs and mark, with illustrations or flag markers, their range on the map. When
presenting the map students should be able to describe some adaptations of the lemurs to
their environments.
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Lemur Word Search
Within the following letter grid find the words listed below.
L
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RED RUFFED LEMUR
MADAGASCAR
NOCTURNAL
ARBOREAL
TERRESTRIAL
FOSSA
LEMURS
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MONKEY
RING TAILED LEMUR
Tigerhomes.org “Educational Video Series”
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Lemur Word Jumble
Unscramble the letters on the left to find the lemur related word on the right.
EADBIMLN
__ __ __ __ __ __ (__) __
EULRM
__ __ __ __ (__)
NUALDIR
__ __ __ __ (__) __ __
P C R R UC E L A U S
(__) __ __ __ __ __ __ (__) __ __ __
BLEAAROR
(__) __ __ __ __ __ __ __
MYOTESCSE
__ __ (__) __ __ __ __ __ __
TMIAERP
__ __ __ __ __ (__) __
CNOOLATFI
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (__)
Take the letters bracketed in each solved word on the right and use them to solve the
following riddle:
I fear no darkness
Love the moon
Sleep through sunlight
Rise with the stars…
I am __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
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Concept Work Sheet
1. Most Lemur species are arboreal. Through research or your own knowledge of nature
find three other non-lemur species that are arboreal.
_________________ __________________ __________________
2. Lemurs are primates. List three non Lemur primate species:
_________________ __________________ ___________________
3. For each of the above species name a characteristic that indicates that they are
primates: ________________ ________________ ___________________
4. Lemurs are endangered animals. What factors in their environment are dangerous to
these animals?
5. Name three other species or families of animals that are endangered:
________________ ________________ __________________
6. What factors endanger these animals?
7. Many Lemur species have complex social lives. What aspects of their behavior
indicate the complexity of their lives?
8. Find two of other species of animal with complex social lives:
____________________ __________________________
9. In the above species, what aspects of their behavior illustrates the complexity of their
social lives?
10. Many Lemur species take care of their offspring for a relatively long period of time (8
months or longer). Find two other species of animals that care for their juveniles for
a long period of time.
_______________________ ________________________
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Quiz # 1
In each of the following, circle the correct answer:
1. Which of the following hunt Lemurs:
(A) Sharks (B) Boa Constrictors (C) Fossas (D) Lions
2. If an animal is using its sense of olfaction it’s using its ears.
(A) True (B) False
3. Chimpanzees are primates.
(A) True (B) False
4. Arboreal animals live:
(A) In trees (B) In water (C) In caves (D) In sand
5. Wild Lemurs live in:
(A) India (B) Mexico (C) Madagascar (D) The United States
6. If an animal is using its Mandible, it is:
(A) Walking (B) Chewing (C) Sleeping (D) Climbing
7. Ring Tailed Lemurs are the most arboreal Lemur:
(A) True (B) False
8. Madagascar is:
(A) A mountain range (B) An ocean (C) A lake (D) An island
9. Lemurs have which of the following physical characteristics:
(A) A trunk (B) Webbed feet (C) A Tooth Comb (D) Antlers
10. Diurnal animals sleep during the day:
(A) True (B) False
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Quiz # 2
From the word list below, pick the term that best fills each
blank in the following statements.
• Ring Tailed Lemurs Communicate through (1)_______________ .
• Many species of Lemur are (2) ____________, which means tree
dwelling.
• An animal which is active at night and sleeps during the day is
called (3)_____________. A (4)____________ animal is active
during the day and sleeps at night.
• Lemurs are (5)__________ , a class of mammal which includes
monkeys and (6)__________.
• Red ruffed Lemurs and White Ruffed Lemurs belong to the same
(7)___________ .
• Lemurs have a special tooth for (8)___________ .
• The Lemurs major (9)___________ is a carnivore called a
(10)__________.
Herbivore
Parasite
Fossa
Climbing
Terrestrial
Nocturnal
Species
Rodents
Grooming
Scent
Symbols
Arboreal
Sub species
Diurnal
Primates
Apes
Predator
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Quiz # 3
1. Which of the following are habitats?
a) ice cubes b) grooming c) forests d) pumpkins e) tidal areas f)
wetlands g) books h) feathers i) deserts
2. Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest ________________.
3. Because they have longer nasal passages than monkeys and apes, biologists
conclude that lemurs rely more heavily on their sense of __________ than
most other primates.
4. A lemur’s canine teeth can be found in their top jaw (Maxilla) and in thier
_______________, another word for lower jaw.
5. Red Ruffed Lemurs and Black & White Ruffed Lemurs are members of the
same _______________, but belong to different __________________.
6. Which of the following are factors endangering wild lemur populations?
a) loss of habitat b) hunting c) pollution d) all of the above e)none of the
above
7. Which of the following are not primates?
a) chimpanzees b) baboons c) rhinos d) lemurs e) squirrels
8. Lemurs have special teeth for __________________.
9. An animal which spends most or all of its time in trees is called
___________.
10. Explain why, from a conservation perspective, it might be valuable to raise
lemurs in captivity.
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Quiz #4
Three of the lemur species referred to in this take-home quiz are subjects in the film,
“Lemurs: Tails From The Canopy.”
Using all available resources: books, the web, the film you saw in class, etc. answer the
following questions in complete sentences.
1. What is the primary food of Black Lemurs?
2. Are Ruffed Lemurs Nocturnal, Diurnal, or Crepuscular, and what does this
designation mean?
3. Are Black Lemurs social or solitary animals?
4. Ruffed Lemurs have two sub species, what are they and how do they differ from
one another?
5. What is the conservation status of Ruffed Lemurs and what is the greatest threat to
their survival?
6. Where on the island of Madagascar would you find Red Ruffed Lemurs?
7. Ring-tailed Lemurs are the most terrestrial of lemur species. What does this mean?
8. What is one of the main uses for a Ring-tailed Lemurs tail?
9. What is the Latin name for the Brown Lemur?
10. At what time of the day are Brown Lemurs most active and what is the term used to
describe this behavior?
BONUS:
When do Ruffed Lemurs usually give birth and to how many young?
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Activities and Quizzes: Solutions and Answers
Lemur Word Search
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Lemur Word Jumble
Mandible
Lemur
Diurnal
Crepuscular
Arboreal
Ecosystem
Primate
Olfaction
Final…. Nocturnal
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Concept Work Sheet As this is concept based and has a wide range of correct possible
answers, teachers should construct their own answer guidelines
Quiz #1
1. C 2. B 3. A 4. A 5. C 6. B 7. B 8. D 9. C 10. B
Quiz #2
1.Scent 2. Arboreal 3. Nocturnal 4. Diurnal 5. Primates 6. Apes 7. Species
8. Grooming 9. Predator 10. Fossa
Quiz #3
1. c, e, f, i,
2. Island
3. Smell (olfaction)
4. Mandible
5. Species, Sub Species
6. d
7. c, e
8. Grooming
9. Arboreal
10. Various possibilities including conservation and breeding of populations to return to
the wild, education etc.
Quiz #4
1.Vegetables (occasionally meat in captivity)
2. Crepuscular… most active at dawn and dusk
3. Social
4. Colour, red Ruffed and Black and White Ruffed
5. Endangered/deforestation
6.North East corner of Madagascar
1. Spend less time in trees and more on ground than other lemur species
2. Lemur Fulvus
3. Daytime/Diurnal
BONUS: November
Pictures: The Pictures in the following pages can be duplicated for class display or
project work… please make sure that the picture credits appear with all reproductions.
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Ruffed Lemur
Varecia Variegata
(Red Ruffed)
Illustration Copyright Stephen D. Nash/Conservation International
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Ruffed Lemur
Varecia Variegata
(Black and White)
Illustration Copyright Stephen D. Nash/Conservation International
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Black Lemur
Lemur Macaco
(Male)
Illustration Copyright Stephen D. Nash/Conservation International
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Black Lemur
Lemur Macaco
(female)
Illustration Copyright Stephen D. Nash/Conservation International
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Ring Tailed Lemur
Lemur Catta
Illustration Copyright Stephen D. Nash/Conservation International
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Sources and Resources:
• The Cambridge Illustrated Dictionary of Natural History, R.J. Lincoln & G.
A. Boxshall, Cambridge University Press, 1987
• Grzimek’s Encyclopedia: Mammals, Sybil P. Parker (Editor), McGraw-Hill
Publishing Company 1990
• Lemur Landing: A Story of A Madagascar Tropical Dry Forest, Deborah
Dennard, Sound Print Corp, 2001
• The Natural History of The Primates, J.R. & P.H. Napier, The MIT Press,
1997
• The Oxford Companion To Animal Behavior, David McFarland (editor),
Oxford University Press, 1987
• Walker’s Mammals of The World, Ronald M. Nowak, Johns Hopkins
University Press 1991
• University of Michigan Museum Of Zoology … Web Site
www.ummz.isa.urnich.edu
Curriculum Credits:
Victoria Hughes…. Writer/Developer
Stephen D. Nash… Illustrator
Jason Abels… Consultant & VP-Animal Affairs
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