Sifaka
Also known as Propithecus
A sifaka (; ) is a lemur of the genus Propithecus from the family Indriidae within the order Primates. The common name is an onomatopoeia of their characteristic "shi-fak" alarm call. Like all lemurs, they are found only on the island of Madagascar. All species of sifakas are threatened, ranging from endangered to critically endangered.
Species
Verreaux's Sifaka
species
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Article
5 sectionsContents
- Anatomy and physiology
- Threats
- Classification
- References
- External links
A sifaka (; ) is a lemur of the genus Propithecus from the family Indriidae within the order Primates. The common name is an onomatopoeia of their characteristic "shi-fak" alarm call. Like all lemurs, they are found only on the island of Madagascar. All species of sifakas are threatened, ranging from endangered to critically endangered.
== Anatomy and physiology == Sifakas are medium-sized indriids with a head and body length of and a weight of . Their tail is just as long as their body, which differentiates them from the Indri. Their fur is long and silky, with coloration varying by species from yellowish-white to blackish-brown. Their round, hairless face is always black. As with all lemurs, the sifaka has special adaptations for grooming, including a toilet-claw on its second toe and a toothcomb.