Hairy-eared mouse lemur
The hairy-eared dwarf lemur (Allocebus trichotis ), or hairy-eared mouse lemur, is one of the most scarcely known lemurs. A. trichotis is a nocturnal lemur that is endemic to Madagascar. It was originally named by Dr. Albert Günther in 1875 as Cheirogaleus trichotis as part of the Cheirogaleidae family, or the dwarf lemurs. In 1967 Petter-Rousseaux and Petter reassigned the lemur to its own genus and is the now only member of the genus Allocebus. The hairy-eared dwarf lemur was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1989 in a northeastern primary lowland rainforest. The population of these mammals is shown to be severely decreasing and largely fragmented throughout Northern and Eastern Madagascar rainforests; most likely due to hunting, trapping, slash-and-burn agriculture as well as habitat fragmentation.
With the rediscovery of the hairy-eared dwarf lemur, new information regarding its physical description was obtained by Meier and Albignac when a small population was captured and observed in captivity. Information from the discovery of the lemur in an eastern rain forest has also been noted. Robin Lee Kolnicki describes Allocebus as a slightly larger Dwarf lemur; recent studies show the species weighs anywhere between 75-98 grams and anywhere from 125–145 mm head and body length to 150–195 mm head-to-tail length. Males and females have been shown to be similar in size and appearance. Hairy-eared dwarf lemurs can be distinguished easily from the other dwarf lemurs due to their very short, rounded ears with tufts of long, wavy hairs that project above the ear pelage; which are thought to be sensory hairs. There is an area of a darker grey triangle on their heads between their eyes and both of their eyes have dark narrow rings around them. Their nose and lips are a light pink color, and they exhibit an extraordinarily long tongue compared to other dwarf lemurs. The dorsal side of the lemur is a brownish grey, with a darker line of fur running along the spine. Their underbellies are grey, with the hairs ending in a white tip. Their hands and feet are a light rosy pink color, with long narrow nails protruding from them. The fur on their tails is short and becomes darker towards the tip. Little is known about the life span of the species, but other species in the similar genus Cheirogaleidae are thought to live around 15–19 years in captivity.
A. trichotis seems to confide in live or dead fallen trees for its nesting and sleeping sites; usually in a hollow located within the trees. Observations show that the lemurs tend to build nests with a deep layer of straw or leaves and since they are exclusively nocturnal, they spend their days sleeping in the same tree hollow and cover themselves with the straw or leaves. The lemurs become active as soon as it becomes dusk and they remain active until the very first sign of light in the morning. While active, the lemurs have been observed to leap frequently through the tree branches. Once the lemurs return to their tree hollows, they were consistently observed sleeping with another of the same species and demonstrated acts of social grooming. They have been observed to be less active and can hardly be found during the dry season (June–September) by researchers as well as locals. There is not much information on their diet in the wild, but in captivity the lemurs were observed to eat various insects such as small/medium locusts, were often observed trying to catch flies outside of their cage, and consuming various fruits. The species is predicted to consume nectar and tree sap in the wild because they have an extraordinarily long tongue. The lemurs also have been observed eating while hanging upside down on a branch.
In the wild, up to 4 juveniles have reportedly been found in one tree hole. It is predicted that gestation occurs at the beginning of the wet season (November–December) and that they give birth in January–February; if their reproductive patterns are similar to other lemur species such as Microcebus and Cheirogaleus.
