Grey mouse lemur

Scientific name: Microcebus murinus

Country: Madagascar

Diet: The grey mouse lemurs eats mainly insects. It also feed on plants, leaves, fruit and flowers and will occasionally eat small reptiles such as chameleons and tree frogs.

Habitats: It is a tree-dwelling primate and can be found in various forest-types throughout Madagascar but mainly in the dry, deciduous forests of the South and West.

Conservation status: Lower risk

Description: The mouse lemur is one of the smallest living primates. It is identified by its short limbs and large eyes. The head and body is approximately five inches in length. It has a grey coat and a pale underside.

Lifestyle: The mouse lemur is nocturnal and moves by jumping from branch to branch in the trees. It is generally a solitary forager and operates quite close to ground level. It congregates with other mouse lemurs at a common nest site during the day to sleep. The males sleep in pairs separate from the females. The females sleep in groups of up to fifteen. Females are dominant over males and usually give birth to twins.

The grey mouse lemur has long, thin lower incisors and canines. These teeth make up a structure called a dental comb which is uses for grooming.

The grey mouse lemur is one of the least threatened of all lemur species. Its abundance is most likely due its small size and variable diet. All lemurs are protected by laws that make them illegal to hunt or capture, except for research and breeding in zoos. Despite this, they are often caught and sold as pets. Loss of habitat is the largest current threat to lemur populations. In particular, deforestation poses the greatest risk to this species.