Fact Sheet
A diademed sifaka investigates dogwood berries. Click image for larger version.
Order: Primates; Suborder: Prosimii
Family: Indriidae; Genus: Propithecus
Species: diadema; Subspecies : diadema
Related Species
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. They are all relatively large bodied, with short faces and extremely long legs which enable some species to leap as far as 30 feet in one bound. There are three recognized species of sifaka as well as three subspecies of P.verreauxi and P. diadema. The Duke Lemur Center houses representatives of each of the three species: the Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi coquereli -- a subspecies of Propithecus verreauxi), the golden-crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli), and the diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema diadema -- a subspecies of Propithecus diadema).
Key Facts
Adult Size : 11 - 13.2 pounds
Social life : Sociable, groups of 2 - 5 animals
Habitat : north-central eastern rainforest
Diet : principally leaves, flowers and fruit
Lifespan : presumed to be 25 - 30 years
Sexual maturity : presumed to be 2 - 3 years
Mating : unknown in the wild
Gestation : unknown
Number of young : presumed to be one per year
DLC Naming theme : Shakespearean characters (Romeo)
Malagasy names : Ankomba Malandy, Simpona
Interesting Facts
- The DLC houses the only Diademed sifaka in captivity. He is a 6 year old male named Romeo.
- Diademed sifaka have never reproduced in captivity.
- Diademed sifaka are among the largest living lemurs.