Area of zoo
Pink zone
Enclosure status
Open
Population in the wild
Decreasing
IUCN status
Critically Endangered
Scientific name
Hapalemur alaotrensis
Order
Primates
Type
Mammals
Family
Lemuridae
Region
Madagascar
Habitat
Tropical grasslands

What do Alaotran gentle lemurs look like? 

Gentle lemurs are small primates, covered in dense woolly fur. Their tails are as long as their bodies and their small, rounded features are very cute. 

Alaotran gentle lemur facts 

These lemurs like to live in family groups of one female, one male, and their offspring. Like other lemurs, grooming forms a large part of socialising. They use their hands and front teeth to collect are fleas and parasites out of their family member’s fur. 

These lemurs can actually swim, with mothers even carrying their young on her back as she does so. Only 5000 of these lemurs exist on Madagascar, making them one of the most endangered lemurs. 

What do Alaotran gentle lemurs eat? 

They are herbivores, enjoying papyrus grass and reeds. 

Alaotran gentle lemurs habitat 

They can be found in the tropical grassland in Madagascar. 

What threats do Alaotran gentle lemurs face?  

The main threat to these animals is the loss of habitat. They can only be found in the papyrus marshes that surround Lake Alaotra. With fisherman and farmers burning and draining most of this land, the gentle lemur only has 13,000 ha of marsh left to live on. 

See an Alaotran gentle lemur at London Zoo

Alaotran Gentle Lemur

Tickets

Book your ticket now to see an Alaotran gentle lemur at London Zoo

Primates at London Zoo

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    Ring-tailed lemur

    Ring-tailed lemur

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    Daubentonia madagascariensis

    Aye-aye

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    Gorilla gorilla gorilla

    Western lowland gorilla

    Gorillas are the world's largest primate, weighing up to 200kg. They share 98.4% of their DNA with humans, and all four gorilla subspecies are critically endangered.

  • Red titi monkey at Rainforest Life London Zoo
    Callicebus cupreu

    Red titi monkey

    These monkeys mate for life and the male is the main childcare provider, carrying the infant on their back.

  • A close up image of a Hanuman Langur's face at London Zoo
    Semnopithecus entellus

    Hanuman Langur

    Named after the Hindu godHanuman, the deity of healing and worship, who is often depicted as part-man, part-monkey.

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