In the trees of tropical forests live very fluffy and lazy little animals. They have funny round, slightly bulging eyes outlined with dark rings, resembling glasses. Because of this unique appearance, these primates were given the Dutch name “loeris,” which translates to “clown.” We call them lemurs or lorises.
These exotic animals are well-known for their physiological ability to suddenly fall into hibernation to wait out unfavorable moments. However, they can just as abruptly wake up from this state: one moment the lemur is in a state of relaxed lethargy, and the next, it’s ready to flee from danger at full speed.
Interesting Facts
- Lorises are primates, but this species looks nothing like humans.
- They are the only primates whose eyes can be a deep blue color.
- Lemurs can communicate with each other using 12 different sounds.
- These small, wide-eyed primates are afraid of humans, but with patience and the right approach, they can be tamed.
- In ancient times, people believed that lorises were inhabited by the souls of the deceased who, for some reason, had not found peace and continued to wander the earth.
- To mark their territory, lemurs make sounds that resemble singing.
- The fluffy creatures’ favorite treat is dates.
- Lemurs have a matriarchal society.
- Their diet includes poisonous plants, so to detoxify, they occasionally eat clumps of earth.
- These primates can store fat in their tails to burn calories during hibernation, helping them maintain their vital functions.
Sadly, these amusing creatures are on the verge of extinction. In the wild, they can only be found on Madagascar and the Comoros Islands.