One of the 6 lemurs on WAnimals
Mammals · Primates · Cheirogaleidae
Rufous Mouse Lemur
Microcebus rufus
It faces a high risk of extinction in the wild over the medium term. See full glossary
The rufous mouse lemur is one of the smallest primates in the world, weighing about fifty grams. It lives in the rainforests of eastern Madagascar, is strictly nocturnal and feeds on fruit, nectar, insects and tree exudates. During the cold season it enters periods of torpor lasting several days to save energy. Males and females occupy overlapping territories, and the females usually sleep in groups in tree holes while the males sleep alone.
Weight
40 g – 60 g
Size
12 cm – 14 cm
Lifespan
9 years
Diet
Omnivore
Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.
Activity
Nocturnal
Active mainly at night.
Social structure
Solitary
Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.
Sighting difficulty
Moderate
Fun facts
- It goes into torpor for days at a time in the cold season: it lowers its body temperature and metabolism almost to a standstill, an exceptional ability in a primate and one studied as a model for understanding hibernation in warm-blooded mammals.
- It is one of the smallest primates on the planet: it fits in the palm of a hand and weighs the same as a small egg.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
- Habitat & environment
- Understorey and middle storey of the rainforests of eastern Madagascar
- Sexual maturity
- 9.8 months
- Gestation / incubation
- 2 months
- Litter / clutch size
- 2.5 (average)
Sources consulted: https://www.iucnredlist.org/ | https://animaldiversity.org/ | https://es.wikipedia.org/
Where to watch it
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented.
Related species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Rufous Mouse Lemur — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Grey Mouse Lemur
Microcebus murinus
VulnerableFossa
Cryptoprocta ferox
Spotted Fanaloka
Fossa fossana
Greater Hedgehog Tenrec
Setifer setosus
Aye-aye
Daubentonia madagascariensis
Ring-tailed Lemur
Lemur catta
How to help
The rufous mouse lemur is classified as vulnerable. Organizations such as UICN, WWF y Wildlife Conservation Society work specifically on its conservation and that of its habitat; looking into their programs is a good starting point if you want to get involved.
It's documented in 7 real protected areas — part of why protecting these places matters for its conservation.
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about rufous mouse lemur.
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