Cheirogaleus

Cheirogaleus, commonly called the dwarf lemurs, is a genus of primate in the family Cheirogaleidae, order Primates, named by E. Geoffroy in 1812 and endemic to Madagascar. As of 2022 the genus contains ten known species, all native to Madagascar. Dwarf lemurs measure 19 to 27 centimeters in body length with tails about 16 to 17 centimeters long, sized between mouse lemurs and gentle lemurs. They inhabit the lower forest strata of eastern Madagascar coastal regions, are nocturnal and quadrupedal, and undergo a period of winter inactivity lasting four to five months, during which their tails, which store fat, are depleted as food grows scarce. They are solitary or paired animals that nest in tree holes, mark territory with feces and scent, feed mainly on fruits and flowers, and are believed to help pollinate some plant species.