At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The greater bamboo lemur is a specialist that feeds largely on a single type of bamboo, including parts that are rich in cyanide. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It was once thought extinct before being rediscovered.
Range & habitat
Rainforests of south-eastern Madagascar.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Loss of bamboo forest
- Slash-and-burn agriculture
- Hunting
Why it matters
An extreme dietary specialist found only in Madagascar, the greater bamboo lemur is a flagship for the island's threatened bamboo forests.
Sources
Sources for Greater Bamboo Lemur
- IUCN Red List — look up Greater Bamboo Lemur (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
How can the greater bamboo lemur eat toxic bamboo?
It feeds heavily on giant bamboo, including parts that contain cyanide in amounts that would be dangerous to many animals; how it copes with this toxin is still studied.
Why is the greater bamboo lemur Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite the loss of its bamboo forest, slash-and-burn agriculture, and hunting. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
Last updated: