Mammals
Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur
Microcebus berthae · also called Berthe's mouse lemur, Madame Berthe mouse lemur
In the dry forest of western Madagascar at night, Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur darts along a thin branch, the smallest primate in the world and no heavier than a few coins.
Overview
Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur, Microcebus berthae, is an Endangered lemur found only in a small area of dry forest in western Madagascar. As the smallest primate in the world, and one of the most restricted, it is a flagship for Madagascar’s dry forests.
The world’s smallest primate
Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur is so small and so restricted that it was unknown to science until the 1990s, which shows how much of Madagascar’s wildlife is still being uncovered.
Status
Endangered, with a decreasing population.
Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur: common questions
How small is Madame Berthe's mouse lemur?
It is the smallest primate in the world, weighing only about as much as a few coins.
Why is it called Madame Berthe's mouse lemur?
It was named in honour of Berthe Rakotosamimanana, a Malagasy scientist.
Where does Madame Berthe's mouse lemur live?
It lives only in a small area of dry forest in western Madagascar.
Why is it endangered?
It depends on a small area of dry forest that is threatened by clearing and burning.