Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur

Taxobox
name = Fat-tailed Dwarf LemurMSW3 Groves|pages=112|id=12100012]
status = LC
status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref = IUCN2006|assessors=Ganzhorn "et al"|year=2000|id=4599|title=Cheirogaleus medius|downloaded=12 May 2006]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Primates
familia = Cheirogaleidae
genus = "Cheirogaleus"
species = "C. medius"
binomial = "Cheirogaleus medius"
binomial_authority = É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1812

The Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur ("Cheirogaleus medius"), or Lesser Dwarf Lemur, is one of the smallest primates. It is endemic to Madagascar.

Recent research has shown that "C. medius" hibernates, even though in the tropical winter temperatures remain high. It is the first tropical primate in which hibernation has been demonstrated. However, the Malagasy winter is dry, and it appears that the lemur is avoiding the drought. Unlike animals that hibernate in temperate regions, the lemur does not control its body temperature while hibernating, and if the tree hole in which it is sleeping is not well insulated, its body temperature fluctuates in accordance with the outside temperature. [cite journal | author = Dausmann, K. H., Glos, J., Ganzhorn, J. U., & Heldmaier, G. | year = 2004 | title = Hibernation in a tropical primate | journal = Nature | volume = 429 | pages = 825–826 | doi = 10.1038/429825a]

Like other fat-tailed lemurs, "C. medius" is able to store fat in its tail, and this provides a source of energy during its period of dormancy.

References