Head to head
Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur vs Gray Mouse Lemur
Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur
VS Gray Mouse Lemur
The fat-tailed dwarf lemur and gray mouse lemur are two of Madagascar's smallest lemurs, both nocturnal, and both able to cut their energy use when food is scarce.
| Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur | Gray Mouse Lemur | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Cheirogaleus medius | Microcebus murinus |
| Winter survival | Hibernates for months in a tree hole, living off fat stored in its tail | Enters torpor, lowering its body temperature and metabolic rate when food is scarce |
| Diet | Omnivore, eating fruit, flowers, nectar, and insects | Omnivore, eating insects, fruit, and plant gum |
| Size | A tiny lemur weighing about as much as a few eggs | One of the smallest primates in the world |
| Activity | Nocturnal, moving quickly through the branches | Largely solitary and nocturnal, sheltering by day in a nest, tree hollow, or dense vegetation |
| Range | Dry forest in western and southern Madagascar | Forest across parts of Madagascar, including dry forest and some humid forest |
| Research role | A favourite subject for studies of how fat and torpor help animals survive the dry season | An important model organism for research into ageing |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, though its dry forest is being cleared | Least Concern, with a stable population |
Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur vs Gray Mouse Lemur: common questions
Which lemur hibernates?
The fat-tailed dwarf lemur, the only primate known to hibernate, which lives off fat stored in its tail.
Why is the gray mouse lemur studied?
It is a model animal for research into ageing, since it can live for a surprisingly long time relative to its small size.
Where do the fat-tailed dwarf lemur and gray mouse lemur live?
The fat-tailed dwarf lemur lives in dry forest in western and southern Madagascar, while the gray mouse lemur lives in forest across parts of the island.