Coquerel's Sifaka
Young coquerel's sifaka stretches full length in the forest. Click image for larger version.
Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi coquereli) are delicate leaf-eaters from the dry northwestern forests of Madagascar. In addition to P.verreauxi, there are three species of sifaka. These include the golden-crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) and the diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema diadema). Both Propithecus verreauxi and Propithecus diadema each have four different subspecies.
The Sifaka of Madagascar are distinguished from other lemurs by their mode of locomotion: these animals maintain a distinctly vertical posture and leap through the trees using just the strength of their back legs. Their spectacular method of locomotion is known as vertical clinging and leaping and their long, powerful legs can easily propel them distances of over 20 feet from tree to tree. On the ground, the animals cross treeless areas just as gracefully, by an elegant bipedal sideways hopping.
The Malagasy name 'sifaka' comes from the distinct call this animal makes as it travels through the trees: "shif - auk".
Vocalizations
Listen to recordings of the vocalizations of a Coquerel's sifaka. All sounds are in wav format.