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Writer's pictureJennifer J

Animal Profile: The Verreaux's Sifaka

Updated: Oct 26, 2020


Verraux Sifaka

The Verreaux's Sifaka is an adorable lemur species which is native to the island of Madagascar.


Madagascar is well-known for its adorable lemurs and gorgeous rainforests, and, one of the lemur species which brings the Madagascan rainforest to life, is the Verreaux's Sifaka.


Where Exactly Are They Found In Madagascar?


Verreaux's Sifakas are found in the south and the south-west of Madagascar, it is the only place in the world where these sifakas are found living in the wild.



Verreaux Sifaka

What Is The Habitat Of Verreaux's Sifakas?


These adorable animals are only found living within Madagascar's forests.


Why Verreaux's Sifakas Are Adorable!


Verreaux's Sifakas are one of the most adorable and lively animals that you will find in the wild.


These lively animals are the opposite of sloths. As, rather than moving through life slowly - as the adorable sloth does, the Verreaux's Sifakas move through life more actively, which makes Verreaux Sifakas them most adorable animal!



These cute lemurs are well-known for a special reason: they hop along the ground as if they were dancing. And, it is this behaviour that makes these lemurs so cute and fun to watch!


Preserving The Future For The Hopping Lemur


These lemurs are fun to watch, but, sadly, these cute animals are being pushed towards extinction.


What Is Their Conservation Status?


The conservation status of Verreaux's Sifakas is critically endangered. They were an endangered species before, but, in 2020 they have been reclassified as an endangered species.


This means, that Verreaux's Sifakas are the closest an animal can be to extinction in the wild. It also means that time is running out to save these beautiful animals.


What Is The Population Of Verreaux's Sifakas?



It is not clear what the population of Verreaux's Sifakas.


But.


What we do know, is that the population of Verreaux Sifakas are in decline. This means that this beautiful animal is in decline.


The Verreaux Sifaka is declining due to the threats that they face.


What Threats Do Verreaux's Sifakas face?


The main threat that Verreaux Sifakas face is the deforestation of Madagascar's rainforests. These lemurs rely on the Madagascan rainforest to live and eat. Therefore, if the rainforest is destroyed and lost, it results in the beautiful animals declining and, could also result in the Verreaux's Sifakas becoming extinct if this deforestation keeps happening.



Another threat Verreaux Sifakas face is forest fires. Forest fires were happening last year in a Madagascan national park; the national park is home to 8 species of lemurs. The Ankarafantsika National Park is the last refuge for some of Madagascar's wildlife.

There are other threats that Verreaux Sifakas face. These threats include - being hunted, mining and agriculture.

Solving and stopping these threats towards the Verreaux Sifakas could be the difference between these animals surviving extinction, or going extinct at some point in the future.

What Is The Breeding Season For Them?


These cute animals will breed at the start of the year; from January until March.

When female Verreaux Sifakas becoming pregnant, they will become pregnant for around 4 to 5 months, and then they will give birth. They will give birth to one baby Verreaux Sifaka which is called an infant.

What Is Their Diet Like?

Verreaux Sifakas are herbivores - they don't eat other animals.

Instead, Verreaux Sifakas feast of things like flowers, nuts, fruits and leaves in the forests!


How Do Verreaux Sifakas Live?


Verreaux Sifakas are sociable animals: they live with other Verreaux Sifakas in a group. This group can consist of up to 13 Verreaux Sifakas, which include both male and female Sifakas.


What Kingdom Are They Part Of?


All species are classified into a kingdom. The kingdom that Verreaux Sifakas are in is the group called Animalia - they are animals.


What Class Are They Part Of?


The class that Verreaux Sifakas are part of is known as Mammalia - these adorable animals are mammals.


What Order Are They Part Of?

The order that they are part of is primates.

Verreaux Sifakas are primates.

What Is Their Scientific Name?

The scientific name for these adorable animals is Propithecus verreauxi.



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