Francesca Capozzi Do you know Coquerel's sifaka or dancing lemur? The primate is endemic to Madagascar and some extraordinary shots immortalize it in its natural habitat, in which however it is in danger of extinction
@lemurscientist/Instagram
They are called dancing lemurs because of their ability to realize jumps in coordination and manage acrobatics, but even the scientific name shows particular characteristics of this species, endemic to Madagascar.
The Coquerel’s sifaka, Propithecus coquereli, is a wild primate which, independent of their forest environment in Madagascar, can be quite easily recognized-just try to catch its typical leaps and virtually only vertical movements.
Their facial expressions and poses are simply amazing. A naturalist and photographer has captured these fascinating creatures in action, offering a glimpse into the world of a species that is as extraordinary as it is extremely vulnerable.
A decade of research in madagascar’s forests
Lydia Greene is a lemur specialist at Duke University who has spent over a decade conducting fieldwork on the African island. In doing so, she has been able to witness firsthand much of Madagascar’s biodiversity and to see many Coquerel’s sifakas in their natural element.
Dr. Lydia Greene certainly has some really fascinating insights into the dancing lemur with her photographs. Each post she shares on social media is an adventure through lush trees and unfamiliar sounds, with unique wildlife from Madagascar.
Built for jumping: powerful legs and precision movements
In one of her shots, a Coquerel’s sifaka is sitting comfortably on the trunk of a tree, stretching out its long, powerful hind legs. These powerful limbs are significant for locomotion, enabling the primate to hop from one place to another and cover impressive distances.
In another entertaining photo, the sifaka is shown to be nibbling tender leaves, which are often bitter because of polyphenolic compounds like tannins-the very same one that makes wine astringent. It does not affect them, as compared to other species, including humans, because of the fact that their body has totally adapted to the diet.
Incredible adaptation to diet
For example, Dr. Greene explains how the taste buds of the dancing lemur do not detect the bitterness of the leaves it eats. This allows them to consume vegetation that may be unpalatable for other animals.
Even their name has a special meaning: “Sifaka” is an onomatopoeic term, an imitation of a sound this species produces while moving. This will help the researchers and locals locate the lemurs even when not seeing them.
While these lemurs may seem playful and full of energy, their survival is increasingly at risk. Coquerel’s sifakas are classified as critically endangered on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Dr. Greene’s posts are a dire reminder of how much these ecosystems and their endangered species need protection. If something is not done right now, the mesmerizing leaps of the dancing lemur may soon be only a memory.
Source: lemurscientist/Instagram
