White-footed sportive lemur

Description

The white-footed sportive lemur,white-footed weasel lemur,or dry-bush weasel lemur Lepilemur leucopus) is a species of lemur in the family Lepilemuridae,the sportive lemurs.It is similar in appearance to other lemurs in the family,with a grey back,a pale grey to white ventral side,and a light brown tail.It is a nocturnal animal that moves through the forest using a vertical clinging and leaping technique.It is endemic to Madagascar,inhabiting the southern subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.It is threatened by habitat loss due to agriculture practices and charcoal production.This sportive lemur eats mainly leaves.During the dry season around Berenty,it may depend entirely on the leaves and flowers of Alluaudia species.This lemur is coprophagous,consuming and redigesting its feces to further breakdown of the cellulose contained in it.The basic social unit of this species is a mother and her offspring.Males live in solidarity and have territories that will overlap those of one or more females.Males may meet with females during the night for foraging and social grooming.The species is polygynous,with the male visiting several females to mate.The male defends his territory by monitoring it and vocalizing loudly when another male approaches.The male may engage in physical combat to defend his territory.