Behavior Fork-marked lemur

males, such p. pallescens, have scent gland of throat, use during social grooming.

fork-marked lemurs among least studied of lemurs, , little known them. pale fork-marked lemur (p. pallescens) has been studied relatively well, pierre charles-dominique, jean-jacques petter, , georges pariente during 2 expeditions in 1970s , more extensive 1998 study in kirindy forest. other cheirogaleids, these lemurs nocturnal, sleeping in tree hollows (typically in large baobab trees) or abandoned nests built giant mouse lemurs (mirza coquereli) during day. of abandoned nests sleep in leaf-lined, , fresh leaves added when young born. many 30 sleeping sites may used on course of year, each variable length of time.

at night, fork-marked lemurs visit feeding sites within range running quadrupedally across branches @ high speed on long distances, leaping tree tree without pausing. have been seen on ground (typically during chases following fights) , high 10 m (33 ft), typically seen running along branches @ height of 3 4 m (9.8 13.1 ft). while running, can leap 4 5 m (13 16 ft) horizontally between tree branches without losing height or as 10 m (33 ft) while falling short distance.

fork-marked lemurs sensitive light intensity, , emerge @ twilight, calling numerous times , answering neighbors calls before going off forage. before dawn, communicate again on way sleep site. cold temperatures can cause individuals retire sleeping site 2 hours before dawn. eye shine creates unique pattern among lemurs because tend bob heads , down , side side.

these lemurs territorial, territory size dependent upon food availability, though territories typically cover 3 10 hectares (7.4 24.7 acres). because of fast movement, individuals can defend territories traversing within 5 minutes. territory overlap minimal between males, , same pattern seen in females, though males , females may overlap territories. in areas territory overlap occurs ( meeting areas ), several neighbors may gather , vocalize without aggression. multiple family groups may gather in these meeting areas, , females socialize other females , young. unlike other lemurs, fork-marked lemurs not scent-mark, , instead use vocalizations during territorial confrontations. considered vocal animals, , have complex range of calls. on average, males make approximately 30 loud calls per hour, , vocal @ dusk , dawn. high-pitched, whistling calls researchers identify them in field. stress call , fighting call, emit hon call (contact call between male-female pairs), ki , kiu calls (more excited contact calls identify caller), , kea call (a loud call shared between males in adjacent territories). females make bleating call when have infants.

males , females have been seen sleeping , foraging monogamous pairs, although polygamy , solitary behavior has been observed. @ kirindy forest, pairs observed staying multiple seasons, though seen foraging alone, interactions resulting conflicts on feeding sites. nest sharing among pairs occurs 1 out of every 3 days. during social grooming (allogrooming), male allomarks females using scent gland on throat, , grooming sessions can last several minutes. while feeding, females appear dominant, gaining first access food. females dominant on non-resident males, indicating true female dominance, comparable seen in ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta).

mating has been observed take place @ end of dry season, in november, , births inferred between late february , march. 1 infant born per season, despite females having 2 pairs of nipples. infants parked in unguarded tree holes while mother forages. older infants have not been observed clinging mother, , older, parked in vegetation until can move independently. females produce milk 2 years following birth of young. offspring may remain under care of parents 3 years or more, , there no information dispersal @ maturity. females have not been observed giving birth in consecutive years.