Madame Berthe's mouse lemur

Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur

Madame Berthe's mouse lemur is the smallest primate in the whole world! These tiny creatures are about as long as a crayon, measuring around 9.2 cm (3.6 in). They weigh just 30 g (1.1 oz), which is lighter than a small apple. They live only on the beautiful island of Madagascar.

This special lemur was first discovered in 1992 in the dry forests of western Madagascar, especially in the Kirindy Forest. At first, scientists thought it was a known type of mouse lemur, but later they learned it was a brand-new species!

The lemur is named after Berthe Rakotosamimanana, a scientist from Madagascar who loved studying primates and helped protect them. Her important work helped us learn more about these fascinating small animals.

Madame Berthe's mouse lemur has soft, thick fur that is a mix of pretty cinnamon and yellow on its back. Its belly is a light chamois color, and its tail is short and tawny. These little lemurs like to sleep in tree vines and sometimes share their home with another type of lemur called the gray mouse lemur.

Because these lemurs only live in one special place, they need that exact home to survive. People are working hard to protect their forests and keep them safe.