Crowned Sifaka
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Superfamily
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Propithecus coronatus
Population size
4-36 Thou
Life Span
17.5 years
Weight
3.5-5
7.7-11
kglbs
kg lbs 
Length
87-102
34.3-40.2
cminch
cm inch 

The crowned sifaka (Propithecus coronatus ) is a sifaka endemic to western Madagascar. It is of comparable size to the Golden-crowned sifaka and up to a meter in length, of which 47-57 centimeters are tail. The species is an arboreal vertical climber and leaper whose diet consists of leaves, fruits and flowers. It is threatened by habitat destruction and currently classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Appearance

Crowned sifakas are medium-sized primmates. They have a creamy white body with tinges of golden brown around the shoulder region, upper chest and back. Their head is dark chocolate or black with white ear tufts. Their dark grey face is hairless and they have a white tail. Occasionally they may have a pale patch across the bridge of their nose.

Video

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Subcontinents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

Crowned sifakas are found in western Madagascar. These animals live in mangroves, dry deciduous and riparian forests. In the northern range of their habitat Crowned sifakas inhabit the forest between the Mahavavy River and Betsiboka River and extending south to the region of highly fragmented forests around the Tsiribihina River, Mahajilo River, and Mania River.

Crowned Sifaka habitat map

Biome

Climate zones

Crowned Sifaka habitat map

Habits and Lifestyle

Crowned sifakas are diurnal animals. They are active during the day. They spend most of their time resting and the rest of the time is devoted to feeding. They prefer to live in the upper stories of large trees and often are found in tree crowns. Usually sifakas do not come down to the ground to drink. They get the water from their diet and dew. However, Crowned sifakas can sometimes be seen on the forest floor, consuming soil that provides these animals with vital nutrients. Crowned sifakas are social and live in groups. Group size is between 2 and 8 individuals and contains a balanced number of females and males in each group. There is one dominant female in each group. Social behavior within groups entails mostly allogrooming of other group members, agonistic behavior, and play as well as scent marking and call-localization.

Group name
Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Crowned sifakas are herbivorous( folivorous, frugivorous) creatures. Depending on season, they feed on young or mature leaves, ripe and unripe fruits and great quantities of flowers.

Mating Habits

REPRODUCTION SEASON
seasonal
PREGNANCY DURATION
5-6 months
BABY NAME
infant

Little is known about the mating system and reproduction of Crowned sifakas. They breed seasonally, with gestation lasting 5-6 months.

Population

Population threats

Main threats to Crowned sifakas include habitat destruction, forest fragmentation, slash and burn agriculture, capture for illegal pet trade, and illegal hunting. These animals suffer from poaching for food as a delicacy in restaurants.

Population number

According to the Wikipedia resource, the total population size of the Crowned sifaka in 2014 was estimated as 4,000-36,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.

Coloring Pages

References

1. Crowned Sifaka on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowned_sifaka
2. Crowned Sifaka on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/18356/16115921

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