Mammals
Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur
Cheirogaleus medius · also called lesser dwarf lemur
As the dry season begins in Madagascar, a fat-tailed dwarf lemur crawls into a tree hole with its tail swollen with fat and settles down for months of sleep.
Overview
The fat-tailed dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus medius, is a Least Concern lemur of the dry forests of western and southern Madagascar. Its fat-storing tail and months-long hibernation make it unique among primates.
A primate that hibernates
No other primate is known to hibernate, which makes this tiny nocturnal lemur a favourite subject for studies of how fat and torpor help animals survive the dry season.
Status
Least Concern, though its dry forest habitat is being cleared.
Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur: common questions
Why is it called the fat-tailed dwarf lemur?
It builds up a thick store of fat in its tail and hindquarters before the dry season.
Does the fat-tailed dwarf lemur hibernate?
Yes, it is the only primate known to hibernate, spending several months a year in a state of torpor.
Where does it hibernate?
It spends the hibernation period curled up in a tree hole, living off its stored fat.
Where is the fat-tailed dwarf lemur found?
It lives in dry forest in western and southern Madagascar.