Eulemur coronatus (Gray, 1842)

Common Name and Endemism

Eulemur coronatus, commonly known as the crowned lemur, is a primate species endemic to Madagascar.

Sexual Dimorphism and Coloration

This species has a distinctive brown-orange crown on the top of the head; females have a gray body paired with an orange crown, while males have a darker reddish brown body and a crown marked with black and orange.

Lifespan and Sexual Maturity

Crowned lemurs have an approximate lifespan of 20 years, and reach sexual maturity after 20 months.

Reproduction and Gestation

Following a 125-day gestation period, they usually give birth in late September or early October.

Primate Order Traits

As members of the order Primates, crowned lemurs have characteristic traits including pseudo-opposable thumbs, binocular vision, and high intelligence.

Lemuridae Family Traits

As part of the family Lemuridae, they share key features with other lemurids: long and slender limbs, a slightly longer nose, a smaller brain, and a 'grooming comb' formed by the incisors and canine teeth.

Tail Structure and Function

They have a long non-prehensile tail, which they use for balance when jumping between branches and for communication within their closely knit, female-led social groups.

Activity Pattern

This member of the genus Eulemur is primarily diurnal, but also has periods of feeding activity at night.

Diet Composition

Its diet is made up mostly of flowers, fruits, and leaves.

2004 Population Estimate

As of 2004, the total population is estimated at 1,000 to 10,000 individuals, most of which live within Ankarana Special Reserve.

Additional Population Locations

Additional populations exist in Montagne d'Ambre National Park and the Andrafiamena forest.

Geographic Range

This species lives exclusively in northern Madagascar, with a range that starts at the island's northernmost point on the Cap d'Ambre Peninsula, extends south to the east bank of the Mahavavy River, and extends east to the area north of Sambava along the banks of the Manambato River.

Habitat and Altitude Range

It can be found across a range of habitats, from the tropical dry forests of Ankarana Reserve to the mid-altitude rainforests of Montagne d'Ambre, at altitudes between sea level and 1,400 m (4,600 ft).

Sympatric Species

Crowned lemurs live in sympatry, sharing the same habitat, with Eulemur sanfordi, Sanford's brown lemur.

Sanford's Brown Lemur Coloration

Sanford's brown lemurs can be distinguished by their color: they are mostly gray and brown, and do not have a v-shaped crown on the forehead.

Sanford's Brown Lemur Sexual Traits

Male Sanford's lemurs also have characteristic white ruffs around their ears and cheeks that are not present on crowned lemurs.

Tsingy Crossing Behavior

The crowned lemurs of Ankarana Reserve are the only lemurs in this region known to cross the razor-sharp tsingy — eroded limestone rock that is characteristic of this national park.

Daily Movement Pattern

They cross this terrain to enter the forest early in the morning, and leave the forest just before sunset to cross back and settle for the night in the safer canyon forest in the center of these rock fields.