Lemurs are known for their distinct appearance, and intriguing behavior, like huddling together in large groups.
Photo From http://amolife.com/image/animals/the-incredible-life-of-zen-lemurs.html
Until recently, this behavior was understood as a means to combat the cold, but beyond that, the behavior was largely not understood. A recent study published in the American Journal of Primatology showed that there are three factors that accurately predict huddling behavior: wind speed, time of day, and age [1]. Surprisingly, temperature and season were not reliable predictors of huddling behavior. Instead, Low wind speeds and early morning hours were associated with increased time huddling. In addition, juvenile lemurs spent more time huddling than adult lemurs. From these observations, it seems that warmth is not the sole purpose for the lemur huddle. Odds are that there are many more secrets within the lemur huddle, so stay tuned for more sneak peeks into lemur life!
-Madagascar Mike
[1] Kelley, Elizabeth A., et al. "Behavioral thermoregulation in Lemur catta: The significance of sunning and huddling behaviors." American journal of primatology (2016).
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