Do you know why Madagascar is often nicknamed “the Land of Lemurs”? It’s no coincidence: lemurs, these unique and iconic animals, are at the heart of the island’s identity.
But who are these remarkable creatures? Lemurs belong to a suborder of primates called prosimians, considered more primitive than the simians, which include monkeys. About 90% of the world’s lemurs live in Madagascar, while the remaining 10% are found in the Comoros, Africa, Sri Lanka, and India.
Their history dates back nearly 100 million years, after Madagascar separated from the African continent. Two theories explain their presence: one suggests they crossed the Mozambique Channel on rafts of vegetation, while the other proposes an ancient land bridge between Madagascar and Africa, now submerged. Lemurs, once widespread in America, Europe, and Africa, disappeared from these regions, replaced by monkeys on the African continent. However, in Madagascar, they thrived and diversified greatly due to the absence of large predators and monkeys.
Discover how Madagascar’s isolation allowed these fascinating lemurs to thrive and evolve. Dive into their unique world on your next visit to Madagascar and explore the invaluable richness they represent for the island!
