Goodman's Mouse Lemur

Facts

IUCN DATA DEFICIENT (DD)

Facts about this animal

The Goodman's mouse lemur is a very small primate species, reachings a head-body length of 8 cm it is only a little bigger than a big mouse. The body-weight varies from 30 to 55 grams according to season, because the animals accumulate fat in their tails during the southern summer, which helps them to survive the winter period. The Goodman's mouse lemur has short, rounded ears, with a white stripe on the bridge of its nose. Its short, dense fur is bright maroon with an orange tinge on the back, head and tail, turning creamy white on its stomach.

Goodman's mouse lemur are nocturnal and arboreal, searching lower trees and the undergrowth for food, such as fruit, flowers, sprouts, insects and frogs . During daytime they sleep in hollows or unused bird's nests, In some areas the population density may exceed 250 per sq.km.

Did you know?
that the Goodman's mouse lemur and another lemur species, Mirza zaza were discovered as late as 2005 by scientists at the German Primate Center (DPZ) and the University of Göttingen bringing the total of known lemur species to 49?

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	PRIMATES
Suborder	PROSIMIA
Family	LEMURIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Microcebus lehilahytsara
Name (English)	Goodman's Mouse Lemur
Name (French)	Microcèbe de Goodman
Name (German)	Goodman-Mausmaki
Name (Spanish)	Ratón Lémur de Goodman
CITES Status	Appendix I
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Samuel Furrer

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Central Madagascar
Habitat	Lowland and mountain rain forest, but also in disturbed or destroyed forest areas
Wild population	Unknown, as it was recently discovered in the year 2005 (Red List IUCN 2011)
Zoo population	9 reported to ISIS (as M. rufus)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 31 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Samuel Furrer

Why do zoos keep this animal

The Goodman's mouse lemur is a newly described species, and there is an interest in keeping them with a view of increasing our scientific knowledge.

In "Moonlight Exhibits it can serve as an ambassador species for the unique fauna of Madagascar. In large Ecosystem Exhibits, such as Zurich zoo's Masoala Rainforest the animals can serve as a topic for interpretation on the occasion of late evening guided tours.

How this animal should be kept

Mouse makis are usually exhibited in nocturnal houses. They are social animals and should be kept in pairs or family groups, which may comprise two males and up to three related females. Only limited space is required for keeping and breeding mouse lemurs, however,the animals prefer spacious enclosures with natural vegetation. The enclosure must come up to the following minimum requirements: surface 3 m², height 2.0 m, room temperature at least 20°C, 50-75 %. The day phase should be around 12 hours. Ample vertical and horizontal branches and lianas are required for climbing and jumping, and sleeping boxes should be provided in the upper part of the enclosure. Shredded bark is a suitable substrate to cover the ground. Mixed exhibits may include e.g. tenrecs.

Food should be offered at least twice per day. The diet may vary according to season and should consist of a variety of fruit, flowers, sprouts and vegetables, and must include animal protein such as locusts, crickets and baby mice.