You can learn more about lemurs at nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Primates/Facts/FactSheets/Lemurs/ (Smithsonian National Zoological Park), channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/btc/lemur.html (National Geographic), and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemur (Wikipedia).

Information about mouse lemurs is available at www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-08/fm-tnl080205.php (Field Museum), www.newswise.com/articles/view/525705/ (University of Massachusetts Amherst), and pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/links/microcebus (University of Wisconsin-Madison).

Additional information about Madagascar's Ranomafana National Park can be found at info.bio.sunysb.edu/rano.biodiv/index.html and icte.bio.sunysb.edu/pages/ranomafana.html (Stony Brook University).

Moreira, Naila. 2005. Out of the jungle: New lemurs found in Madagascar's forests. Science News 168(Aug. 13):100. Available at http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050813/fob3.asp .

Books recommended by SearchIt!Science:

In Search of Lemurs: My Days and Nights in a Madagascar Rain Forest — Joyce Powzyk Published by National Geographic Society, 1998. Deep in the rainforests of the island of Madagascar live animals that have been in existence for 40 million years. Biologist Joyce Powzyk takes you along as she travels to this island, which lies off the eastern coast of Africa, to search for lemurs. There are at least 32 known kinds, or species, of lemurs. They can be as small as a mouse or as large as a dog. You can observe these marvelous animals as they leap from tree to tree and search for food. Joyce and her guide, Talata, make their way through the dense forest, taking notes and making sketches of the animals and plants that they find along the way. This amazing journey not only tells the story of the lemur but also provides insight into the life of a field biologist.

Lemurs: On Location — Kathy Darling Published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books/William Morrow/HarperCollins, 1998. "Oooo-oo-oo!" An eerie shriek echoes among the trees. From deep in the woods come hoots, howls, moans, groans, and every other scary sound you've ever heard. But naturalists Kathy and Tara Darling are not afraid. They have journeyed to Madagascar to study the animals that make those sounds. This book features informative text and excellent color photographs.

Shadows in the Dawn: The Lemurs of Madagascar — Kathryn Lasky Published by Gulliver Books/Harcourt, 1998. There is only one place on earth where lemurs still exist in the wild. Only one of every two lemurs will survive its first year. Find out all about these unusual primates that live on Madagascar. Follow along as researchers study their behavior. The book contains many action photographs.

lemur Any of several small nocturnal mammals of the island of Madagascar. Lemurs have large eyes, soft fur, and a long tail, and live in trees. They are distantly related to monkeys.

primate A type of mammal that is very intelligent and has eyes that face forward, a shortened nose, and opposable thumbs. Most types of primates live together in groups and interact with each other in many ways. Monkeys, apes, and humans are primates.