m. flavifrons to the south of it" (Davis). .
The black lemur can only be found at the northwestern tip of Madagascar to two adjacent small islands of Nosy Komba and Nosy Be. Black lemurs are arboreal and they are found in four habitats: primary rain forests, secondary forest, timber plantations and food crop plantations, such as coffee and cashew plantations (Kasnoff). The black lemur is a primitive primate that is about the size of a house-cat. It measures to an overall length from head to tip of tail of about 96cm and weighs about five pounds (Davis). Black lemurs have eyes in front of their heads and are considered among the first animals with stereoscopic vision (Honolulu Zoo). Males and females of this lemur species look very different, due to sexual dimorphism. Males are completely black and females are brownish grey with a grey face framed by spiky white tuffs of hair. They average about 38 inches in length and weigh about five pounds. Black lemurs have long, bushy tails and a fox-like muzzle (Robinson Zoo). Their usual mode of locomotion is quadruped, but they may assume an upright posture and move on their hind legs for brief periods of time. The hind legs are longer than the front legs, and the second toes have strongly curved grooming claws (Honolulu Zoo). In the trees, these lemurs are capable of leaping from branch to branch and can jump up to twenty four feet. Their movements are so quick that they have been compared to the flight of birds. Black lemurs are omnivores, eating a variety of foods consisting of: ripe fruit, leaves, flowers, insects, and the occasional small vertebrates. Because they are fruit-eaters, they are important seed dispersers (Kasnoff). During the wet season, the black lemur eats mushrooms and millipedes (Lemur Packet). Black lemurs breed seasonally. After a gestation period of 120-129 days, one offspring is born; however, twins are not rare. The entire group helps to care for and play with the young.
