Species Alert: The golden-crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) has been identified by the Alliance for Zero Extinction as one of 800 species that are in danger of extinction and require immediate protection to ensure their continued survival.
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Description: Golden-crowned sifakas (Propithecus tattersalli) weigh, on average, 3kg (6.6lbs) and grow to lengths of about 48cm (19in). They have tufted ears, a black face, white trimming of fur around the face, and orange-gold fur on the top of their head and below their chin. Golden-crowned sifakas' arms are nearly the same lengths as their legs, making them well-suited to a life in the treetops, where they are adept at leaping and grasping on to branches (Source: Rayner).
Golden-crowned sifakas are a type of lemur. They are diurnal (they are active during the day and sleep at night) and arboreal (they spend most of their time in trees). The golden-crowned sifaka is the smallest of three species of sifakas. The other species include Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi coquereli) and diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema diadema) (Source: 'Golden').
Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Primates
- Family: Indridae
- Genus: Propithecus
- Species: Propithecus tattersalli (Source: Rayner)
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Habitat: Tropical forest (Source: 'Golden').
Range: Northeast regions of Madagascar. Restricted to forest patches between the Loky and Monambato Rivers (Source: Rayner).
Diet: Herbivores. Seeds, leaves, flowers, bark, unripe fruit (Source: Rayner).
Status: Red List Category & Criteria (ver 2.3, 1994): CR A2c, B1+2bcd. Critically endangered with a population reduction of up to 80% expected in next ten years (due to declining area of occupancy or quality of habitat) (Source: Ganzhorn).
Sources:
- Massicot, P. 2005. 'Golden-Crowned Sifaka' (On-line), Animal Info. Accessed December 12, 2005.
- Burnie, D. and D.E. Wilson. Animal. Dorling Kindersley. London. 2001.
- Raynor, S. 2000. 'Propithecus tattersalli' (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed December 12, 2005.
- 'Golden-Crowned Sifaka' (On-line), Duke University Primmate Center. Accessed December 12, 2005.
- Ganzhorn, J & Members of the Primate Specialist Group, 2000. 'Propithecus tattersalli' (On-line), IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Accessed December 12, 2005.
