The silky sifaka, Propithecus candidus, is a large lemur with long, silky white fur and a very restricted range in northeastern Madagascar, where it is called simpona. It lives in a strip of humid forest between Maroantsetra and the Andapa Basin and Marojejy Massif, in groups of two to nine. It weighs 5 to 6.5 kilograms and feeds mainly on leaves and seeds, with fruit and flowers. It is one of the rarest mammals on Earth and is Critically Endangered; because no local taboo forbids eating it, it is hunted for bushmeat throughout its range, and none are kept in captivity.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsBiological Resource Use 3 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Indriidae (Wikipedia)
In Biome
Source Silky sifaka (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem
Source Silky sifaka (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Silky sifaka (Wikipedia)Lead, where it livesQuote, Lead, where it lives
It has a very restricted range in northeastern Madagascar
Sources
1. Indriidae (Wikipedia)
Characteristics
The 19 extant Indriidae species vary considerably in size.
Characteristics, diet
Indriidae are herbivores, eating mostly leaves, fruits, and flowers.
Characteristics, system
All species are arboreal, though they do come to the ground occasionally.
Child Taxon Of: Indriidae, Classification
Silky sifaka, Propithecus candidus
View the Source2. Animal Diversity Web: Propithecus candidus
Animal Diversity WebBehavior
diurnal
Conservation Status
CITES Appendix I
Physical Description, Range mass
5 to 6.5 kg
Conservation Status, population trend
250 adult individuals remaining today, a number that is most probably decreasing.
View the Source 3. Silky sifaka (Wikipedia)
Conservation
According to the most recent IUCN Red List assessment, the silky sifaka is critically endangered.
Lead
The silky sifaka is hunted throughout its range as no local fady (taboo) exists against eating this species.
Lead, where it lives
It has a very restricted range in northeastern Madagascar
In Biome: Tropical Rainforest, Geographic range and habitat
The silky sifaka is confined to a small region of northeastern Madagascar within a strip of humid forest
In Ecosystem: Madagascar Rainforests, Geographic range and habitat
The silky sifaka is confined to a small region of northeastern Madagascar within a strip of humid forest
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