Hairy-eared mouse lemur

Allocebus trichotis

SUBFAMILY

Cheirogaleinae

TAXONOMY

Cheirogaleus trichotis (Günther, 1875), Madagarcar, between Tamatave and Morondava.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

French: Allocèbe; German: Büschelohrmaki; Spanish: Lemur orejipeludo.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Conspicuous tufts of hair on relatively small, rounded ears. Dorsal fur is brownish gray with darker midline stripe down back; ventral fur light gray. Tail hair darkens towards tip. Narrow, dark rings surround eyes. Nails are small with sharp tips on all digits except the big toe. Length 5.6 in (14 cm), tail 6.8 in (17 cm); 3 oz (85 g).

DISTRIBUTION

Northeastern Madadascar, inland from Mananara just south of the Bay of Antongil; near Mananara in the Zahamena Reserve and in the Vohidrazana forest; Allocebus may occur north of Mananara on the Masoala peninsula.

HABITAT

Canopy of evergreen rainforest.

BEHAVIOR

Individuals are solitary when active, but nesting groups have been recorded.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Basic diet of fruit and insects; some gum-feeding.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Largely unknown. Birth season thought to be January–February.

CONSERVATION STATUS

May be locally abundant in small areas, but listed as Endangered.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

None known.