Lemur Pictures

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Lemur Pictures

Few people realize that lemurs, often seen in zoos around the country, are actually primates, and therefore cousins of monkeys. Classified as prosimians by scientists, lemurs are a kind of primitive primate. Though they are not directly related to the lovable chimpanzees and baboons, these small, cute primates share a bond with them. Lemurs, whose name is derived from the Latin lemures which means "nocturnal spirits", only inhabit Madagascar and the Comoro Islands of the eastern coast of Africa. Though small and remote, these island nations are home to over forty varied species of lemurs. The disparate variations of lemurs range from a tiny one ounce to an impressive fifteen pounds, the size and weight of a house cat.

Lemurs are primarily arboreal; inhabiting a variety of differing climates from tropical rainforest to arid desert. Lemurs can be either diurnal or nocturnal. Those that are active during the day tend to group together in packs for protection. Night lemurs are usually solitary creatures that hunt and live by themselves. Lemurs have a well-developed sense of smell and have special scent glands that leave scent trails. As a result, lemurs communicate and guide each other much in the same way that ants do. They also, however, communicate vocally. They most resemble primates in their well-developed hands and feet. Lemurs have opposable thumbs allowing them to maneuver their thumbs in a way that lets them hold and use objects. They all have long, bushy, squirrel-like tails that give them balance when making long jumps.

Andrew Hardman's photographs feature three of the largest species of lemur: ring-tailed lemurs, black and white ruffed lemurs, and red ruffed lemurs. The ruffed lemurs inhabit the tropical forests along the eastern coast of Madagascar. The ring-tailed lemurs can be found in the southern portion of Madagascar in the forests and bush lands. All three species are herbivores, living primarily off of fruits, grasses, and bamboo shoots. The lemurs in Hardman's photographs are captured doing what lemurs do best, sleeping and playing. Once encountering these images, one is easily enamored of these cuddly primates. The lemur has no natural predator, yet many species of lemurs, especially the three Hardman has photographed that live along the southern and eastern coasts of Madagascar, have become endangered. Many lemurs are lost to deforestation for timber and agriculture and hunting for their soft pelts or food. Since the first settlers landed in Madagascar around two thousand
years ago, fifteen species of Lemur have become extinct. One species is believed to have weighed up to four hundred pounds. Sadly, the surviving lemurs can only be easily accessed through zoos and television, or through photographs such as Andrew Hardman's that are offered on this site. Also available are Andrew Hardman's photographs of baboons and tigers.

James Webb©2005