Saturday, December 5, 2009

Camera Critters

It's Saturday and it's Camera Critters time!

Off to the Houston Zoo again
and a visit to one of my favorite lemurs
and one of the Zoo's newest:
the Coquerel Sifaka.


Coquerel Sifaka

The Houston Zoo is one of only a handful of places in the world where you can see this highly endangered primate from Madagascar, made famous by the PBS television series Zoboomafoo, featuring the Kratt brothers and their Coquerel's sifaka, (cock-er-al's she-fak) mascot.

Sifaka differ from other lemurs in the way they move, using a form of locomotion called vertical clinging and leaping. They leap in an upright position from one vertical branch or trunk to another, using their powerful back legs to propel them over twenty feet in one jump. When they move on the ground, they skip or bound on their hind legs. They look like they are jumping with a pogo stick (remember those?)!



Coquerel Sifaka


Sifakas are plant-eaters. Leaves are their favorite food, and make up most of their diet in the dry season (along with tree bark). In the wet season these primates also eat fruits and flowers. They find much of their food in the treetops, but also occasionally search for food on the ground.
When eating, sifakas rarely use their hands to handle their meal. Instead, they usually grab the food directly with their mouth. The Houston Zoo's sifakas have a favorite treat -- the chickpea or garbanzo bean. They love them.

Like many other types of sifaka, the Coquerel's sifaka is in danger of extinction in the wild. These animals suffer from continued habitat loss, as their forest homes are logged for timber and turned into farmland.

Here's a video from You Tube and the Houston Zoo:

24 comments:

Martha said...

Lemurs are one of my favorite animals!

Thanks for stopping by! Kovu is walking around this morning with the scarf on, he is getting accustomed to it! My daughter can do just about anything to him.. me not so much!

My CC

Cezar and Léia said...

He has adorable and sweet eyes!
Thanks so much for this beautiful and interesting post!
Happy CC
purrs and love
Luna - We love LUna

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen this type of Lemur, but it's as cute as others. I'll have to add the Houston Zoo to my list.

Dianne said...

wonderful close-up
those eyes!!

nonizamboni said...

Thanks, my snappy friend, for making my day with a new animal to fall in love with! So beautiful, agile and herbacious [all the things I appreciate in others :O) ]

Janie said...

Interesting to see the mom handle her baby in such a humanoid way.
These are beautiful animals. So sad that they're endangered in the wild.
Great photos and information!

Ricepatty said...

How very interesting. How fortunate for th zoo to have a new born! he really does need a name :)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow--did I learn something today, Snap. I've never even heard of Sifakas... Aren't they just precious!!!! Thanks for sharing.

Did you enjoy your snow??? We got some during the night --about an inch or two. I'll post pictures tomorrow.
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Fun photos! Thanks for sharing.

eileeninmd said...

They are cute animals. they are new to me so I learned something new today. Great post, photos and info.

Janet said...

What a sweet little face! I never heard of this animal before now so thanks for this post.

jabblog said...

They are beautiful animals with such pretty, intelligent faces. What a shame they are an endangered species. Humans have a lot to answer for!

Jane said...

Aww I love Lemurs, beautiful animals-thanks for the video too:)

Karine said...

We had Lemurs at the Biodome here in Montreal last year, they were amazing! Thanks for sharing all the info about them, they truly are fascinating creatures!

Adrienne Zwart said...

Really fascinating post, Snap. I remember Zooboomafoo--my daughter used to love that show!

Quilt Works said...

Wonderful photos, I particularly like the ones where you see a close up of the eyes.


... "Simplicity is beautiful"</a

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Snap: What a neat critter and it has great coloring.

Bogie said...

I would love to see a real Lemur. Nice post. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oh they are beautiful..I have always loved lemurs..so soft looking and expresive eyes!! Hope you are well hon..trying to catch up with everyone now the fall craziness is over.
Hugs, Sarah

storyteller said...

This is a new critter to me so I really enjoyed your photos and information. Thanks for sharing ;-)
Hugs and blessings,

Barb said...

I'm not sure I've ever heard of the Coquerel Sifaka, Snap. The contrasting black/white is lovely. In that second photo, it seems to want to join you on the other side of the fence!

EG CameraGirl said...

Great photos and lots of good information. Hmmm. Another animal in danger of extinction!

Sherry said...

They look like they're wearing a warm winter hat -- I had one something like it when I was 14!! And they like chick peas? My kinda critter!! :)

Unknown said...

They are adorable! Especially that baby! Sweet!