Lemurs are now on the brink of extinction

[UM-Bot]

The unique inhabitants of the Indian Ocean island Madagascar are on the verge of disappearing forever.

Despite there being around 100 different species of lemur, a combination of hunting and habitat destruction could soon push them past breaking point. Lemurs are now considered to be the world's most endangered mammal group and experts believe that there is a very real risk of them going extinct.

Read More: http://www.unexplain...k-of-extinction

[Eldorado]

Why do some critters have black hair/fur around their eyes? Anyone?

[redhen]

From the article;

"The situation has been worsened by the fact that lemurs can be found nowhere else on Earth and because a political crisis in Madagascar has lead to a breakdown of the environmental law enforcement agencies needed to protect them."

Political crisis?

"Primary causes of forest loss include slash - and - burn for agricultural land (a practice known locally as tavy) and for pasture, selective logging for precious woods or construction material, the collection of fuel wood (including charcoal production), and forest clearing for mining."

http://en.wikipedia....n_in_Madagascar

If you look at satellite images of Madagascar, it looks exactly like Haiti, devoid of trees.

[ineffectiveArtist]

I heard about this because of a movie preveiw. I want to help save them, but I can't do much from here...

[Sundew]

Why do some critters have black hair/fur around their eyes? Anyone?

It acts as eyeshadow helping to reduce glare from the sun. The same reason NFL (and other) football players put dark streaks under their eyes during the games. I don't know but there is probably a correlation between animals in more tropical areas and also in diurnal animals tending to have more of this coloration. For example, the cheetah has black rings around its eyes and it a dirunal sight hunter in open sunny areas.

[Sundew]

Madagascar as a whole is in serious trouble, its biodiversity has been nearly destroyed. Something around 10% or perhaps less of its original habitats are still there. Human population and pressure have put many plants and animals in serious trouble. Not only are all the world's species of lemur found there, I believe it has 5 of the 7 Baobab tree species, many endemic species of Euphorbia, an entire family of amazing spiny plants found nowhere else: the Didiereaceae, many species of gecko, most of the world's chameleon species, boas, at least 3 rare carnivorous plants, many orchids, many endemic palm species, the list goes on and on. The Royal Poinciana or Flamboyant Tree, famous throughout the tropics, comes from there, yet is in serious trouble in its native land. Madagascar has a very high degree of endemism, meaning the life there is found nowhere else and in some cases has no close relatives. If trends continue it will be a dusty island filled with people and cattle suffering the result of severe environmental degradation.

[LimeGelatin]

Why do some critters have black hair/fur around their eyes? Anyone?

Because they party all night, duh, didn't you see Madagascar? -LoLzzz

[EllJay]

It's time for the Lemurs to fight back, dammit!!!

[EllJay]

Lemurs might be the coolest animals ever.

Their Zen-meditation in the sun is just priceless.

Edited February 24, 2014 by EllJay

[EllJay]

.....as are their 2-leg jumping on the ground. It looks like they coming at ya wanting to fist fight you when they jump with the side towards you, and with their paws waving in the air.

[JGirl]

awww poor little gaffers