After a decade-long absence, black lemurs (Eulemur macaco) have returned to Prague Zoo. The newly arrived pair is gradually settling into the island enclosure opposite the giant tortoises, near the lower cable car station.
The space was previously occupied by black-and-white ruffed lemurs, which have recently been successfully introduced to the zoo’s ring-tailed lemurs.
“You can never have too many lemurs, and so our efforts recently focused on freeing up the island enclosure by the lower cable car station,” said Jan Mengr, Prague Zoo’s curator of primates. “Thanks to successfully bringing the ruffed lemurs and ring-tailed lemurs together, we were able to offer the empty space to another endangered endemic species from the island of Madagascar, the black lemurs, and thus diversify the species composition at Prague Zoo.”
The pair arrived in Prague from Plzeň Zoo, although the female was originally born at Prague Zoo.
Exploring their new surroundings
Before being given access to the outdoor area, the two lemurs spent time becoming accustomed to their indoor enclosure. According to their keepers, their response to the unfamiliar environment was immediately inquisitive.
“They immediately began exploring every corner. Without any fear of the unknown, they even went inside the shelter. They also paid attention to the bamboo and dry grass. It is not unusual for animals, during their first days, to choose a place where they feel safest and simply observe their surroundings,” explained Nikola Kučerová, primate keeper at Prague Zoo.
Once the animals were fully accustomed to their indoor quarters, keepers gradually allowed them into a tunnel from which they could observe the outdoor enclosure. They have now begun making their first tentative excursions onto the island.
Males are black, females reddish-brown
One of the most distinctive characteristics of black lemurs is their pronounced sexual dimorphism.
Adult males have an almost uniformly black coat, while females are reddish-brown, with a lighter underside and conspicuous pale tufts of fur around their ears. Both sexes have a long, bushy tail that helps them maintain their balance.
Young black lemurs are born with coats resembling the colour of adult females. As males mature, their fur gradually darkens until it becomes almost entirely black.
The species is native to northwestern Madagascar, where it also performs an important ecological role.
Seed dispersers — and even pollinators
Black lemurs are primarily fruit eaters and naturally contribute to seed dispersal. To a lesser extent, they also act as pollinators.
When feeding on nectar, pollen sticks to the fur around their mouths and can subsequently be transferred between flowers.
At Prague Zoo, browse also forms an important part of their diet. The lemurs are offered willow and other branches and, unlike some other lemur species, they also eat hornbeam and enjoy hibiscus flowers.
The return of the species after ten years therefore adds another threatened Madagascar endemic to Prague Zoo’s primate collection, while the new pair continues to become familiar with its island home.
Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
