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Black lemur (Eulemur macaco)
There are two subspecies of the black lemur, the black lemur Eulemur macaco macaco and the Sclater's or blue eyed lemur E. m. flavifrons. These subspecies are similar in size, shape and behaviour, though they differ in their coat and eye colour and their habitat preferences. In both subspecies the sexes look quite different from each other. Male black lemurs have a dark brown to black pelage with black tufted ears and beady yellow-orange eyes, while females look so different they were thought for a long time to be a different species. Black lemur females are tawny on the back and head; their underparts are golden-brown to rich-chestnut brown, with paler fur on the limbs, and the tail is a darker chestnut brown. The females' ears are also dramatically tufted, but with long white hair which extends around the cheeks.
Male Sclater's lemursnormally have a completely black pelage, which is shorter in length and has a softer appearance than that of the black lemur. The forehead has a distinct ridge of hair that forms a distinctive crest, and the ears are not tufted. As the alternative name of the Sclater's lemur, the blue-eyed black lemur, suggests, this subspecies has blue eyes, which is highly unusual in primates and very striking. Females of this subspecies have paler brown coloured underparts and dark grey hands and feet. Their crown is reddish-tan in colour and they have short white beards which may have reddish tinges. |
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