Home › Mammalia › Indriidae › Verreaux's Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi)
SPECIES PROFILE
Verreaux's Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi)
Propithecus
IUCN STATUS
Critically Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Critically Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Endemic to western and southern Madagascar
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Dry and spiny forest
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Primates
FAMILY
Indriidae
GENUS
Propithecus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 45 cm + 60 cm tail; 3-3.5 kg
COLORATION
Creamy-white with a dark cap and face
ADAPTATIONS
Leaps upright between trees; 'dances' sideways on the ground
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Dry and spiny forest
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Endemic to western and southern Madagascar
REPRODUCTION
Single infant
DIET DETAILS
Leaves, fruit and flowers
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, hunting
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Famous as the 'dancing lemur' for its hopping, arms-out run across open ground.
2
It can leap between spiny cactus-like trees without ever touching the thorns.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Berenty Reserve
Kirindy Forest
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
April-November
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch open dry forest by day; sifakas cross the ground in a comical sideways 'dancing' hop.
