Golden Bamboo Lemur
Encyclopedia
The Golden Bamboo Lemur or Golden Lemur (Hapalemur aureus, Malagasy
bokombolomena) is a medium sized bamboo lemur
endemic to southeastern Madagascar
. It is listed as an endangered species due to habitat loss. The population is declining with only about 1000 individuals. As its name indicates this lemur feeds almost exclusively on grasses especially the giant bamboo or Volohosy (Cathariostachys madagascariensis
), which contains cyanide
, particularly in its growing shoots. The golden bamboo lemur in the wild consumes enough cyanide
daily to kill a human.
The growing shoots of this bamboo contain 0.015% of cyanide. Each adult lemurs eats about 500g (18 oz) of bamboo per day, which should contain 12 times the lethal dose of cyanide.
The Golden Bamboo Lemur is crepuscular
. It is 37-39.5 cm long plus a tail of 37–41 cm and weighs between 1 and 1.5 kg.
Females give birth to one infant per year and breed every year. The gestation period is about 138 days.
Malagasy language
Malagasy is the national language of Madagascar, a member of the Austronesian family of languages. Most people in Madagascar speak it as a first language as do some people of Malagasy descent elsewhere.-History:...
bokombolomena) is a medium sized bamboo lemur
Bamboo lemur
The bamboo or gentle lemurs are the lemurs in genus Hapalemur. They are medium sized primates that live exclusively on Madagascar...
endemic to southeastern Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. It is listed as an endangered species due to habitat loss. The population is declining with only about 1000 individuals. As its name indicates this lemur feeds almost exclusively on grasses especially the giant bamboo or Volohosy (Cathariostachys madagascariensis
Cathariostachys madagascariensis
Cathariostachys madagascariensis, the Madagascar giant bamboo or Volohosy in Malagasy language, is a bamboo species in the genus Cathariostachys found in Madagascar....
), which contains cyanide
Cyanide
A cyanide is a chemical compound that contains the cyano group, -C≡N, which consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. Cyanides most commonly refer to salts of the anion CN−. Most cyanides are highly toxic....
, particularly in its growing shoots. The golden bamboo lemur in the wild consumes enough cyanide
Cyanide
A cyanide is a chemical compound that contains the cyano group, -C≡N, which consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. Cyanides most commonly refer to salts of the anion CN−. Most cyanides are highly toxic....
daily to kill a human.
The growing shoots of this bamboo contain 0.015% of cyanide. Each adult lemurs eats about 500g (18 oz) of bamboo per day, which should contain 12 times the lethal dose of cyanide.
The Golden Bamboo Lemur is crepuscular
Crepuscular
Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk. The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight." Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright...
. It is 37-39.5 cm long plus a tail of 37–41 cm and weighs between 1 and 1.5 kg.
Females give birth to one infant per year and breed every year. The gestation period is about 138 days.