PIN welcomes primatologists who are working directly with species to send updates for our fact sheets any time, including sources. We also welcome all readers to send updates and sources for consideration: we will check with the experts before adding these updates. We advise readers to use our fact sheets as just one source of information and to always research additional sources.
TAXONOMY
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Infraorder: Lemuriformes
Superfamily: Lemuroidea
Family: Lemuridae
Genus: Prolemur
Species: P. simus
Other names: Hapalemur simus, H. gallieni, greater bamboo lemur, broad-nosed gentle lemur, broad-nosed bamboo lemur; grand hapalémur, hapalémur simien (French); grosser halbmaki (German); varibolo, tan-tang, bokombolobe, halogodro, varikovoka (Malagasy); lemur cariancho (Spanish); brednäst bambulemur, brednäst halvmaki, brednäst lemur (Swedish).
Total population: 100-160
Regions: Madagascar
Gestation: 149 days
Height: 39.1 and 45.0 cm (M)
Weight: 2.43 kg (M), 2.32 kg (F)
MORPHOLOGY
As its name implies, the greater bamboo lemur is the largest of the bamboo lemurs and is significantly larger than its counterparts in the genus Hapalemur. Greater bamboo lemurs have a short and broad muzzle, similar to the other bamboo lemurs (Groves 2001). The back and tail is a slightly reddish gray-brown with olive-brown head, neck, shoulders and arms. The ventrum is cream-brown with a rust-brown pygal patch (Mutschler & Tan 2003; Mittermeier et al. 2006). The species has obvious and pronounced characteristic whitish or gray ear-tufts and the face is predominantly dark gray in color (Garbutt 1999). There may be local variation in the pelage coloration as what were probably Prolemur simus were reported on the Andringitra Massif with largely reddish coloration and no ear tufts (Garbutt 1999). They have very large scent glands above their elbows (Groves 2001). Greater bamboo lemur females have four nipples (Ankel-Simons 2007).
Recorded weights of two wild greater bamboo lemur males are 2.37 kg and 2.49 kg (5.2 and 5.5 lb) (Meier et al. 1987; Ankel-Simons 2007). A single wild female weighed 2.45 kg (5.4 lb) (Ankel-Simons 2007). Recorded head and body lengths of two adult males were 39.1 and 45.0 cm (15.4 and 17.7 in) respectively (Meier et al. 1987; Ankel-Simons 2007). In a recently discovered population near Torotorofotsy, some 400 km (248.5 mi) north of all other known populations of P. simus, adult females averaged 2.32 kg (5.1 lb) while adult males averaged 2.43 kg (5.4 lb) (Dolch et al. 2008). The tail is roughly around the same length as the rest of the body (Meier et al. 1987; Ankel-Simons 2007). Sexual dimorphism by weight is not seen in this species (Tan 2000 cited in Mittermeier et al. 2006).
Greater bamboo lemurs move through a combination of quadrupedal movement along horizontal supports and leaping between vertical supports (Andriaholinirina et al. 2003). Greater bamboo lemurs are sometimes seen on the ground; around 9% of movement is terrestrial (Tan 2000 cited in Mutschler & Tan 2003).
In captivity, greater bamboo lemurs have lived over 17 years of age (Weigl 2005).
RANGE
CURRENT RANGE MAPS (IUCN REDLIST):
Prolemur simus
As with all lemurs, the greater bamboo lemur is only found on Madagascar. As evidenced by subfossil and historical collection localities of the species, the greater bamboo lemur used to be widespread across the island (see Godfrey & Vuillaume-Randriamanantena 1986; Godfrey et al. 2004). Today, the distribution is quite limited, with P. simus found mostly in the south-central eastern parts of Madagascar (Mutschler & Tan 2003). Most known populations are from this region, particularly in the Ranomafana and Andringitra National Parks (review in Tan 2006; review in Wright et al. 2009). It is also known from several degraded forests also in southeast Madagascar including in the corridor between the two national parks (Mittermeier et al. 2006; review in Wright et al. 2009). The species is only confirmed at 12 localities in all and the distribution is considered to be highly patchy (Wright et al. 2008; 2009). However, the extant range of the species has recently been significantly expanded with the discovery of populations of greater bamboo lemurs near Torotorofotsy in eastern Madagascar, over 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) north of all of the other populations (Dolch et al. 2008). This newly discovered population is actually one of the largest known (Wright et al. 2009).
It is estimated that there are between 100 and 160 greater bamboo lemurs remaining in the wild and there are around 20 individuals in captivity (Wright et al. 2008; 2009). P. simus are one of the World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates, and may have the lowest surviving numbers of any lemur species (Wright et al. 2008; 2009).
HABITAT
Greater bamboo lemurs are found in primary and degraded eastern humid forests of Madagascar, and are usually found in areas with large woody bamboo species (Mutschler & Tan 2003; Tan 2006; Wright et al. 2009). Occasionally they are found in degraded habitats without bamboo (Tan 2006). The range of forests in which they occur ranges from large protected areas down to small forest fragments (Wright et al. 2008). The newly discovered population at Torotorofotsy inhabit marshland, a new habitat type for the species (Wright et al. 2008). Some researchers propose that P. simus cannot live in habitats that do not have giant bamboo (Cathariostachys madagascariensis) (Arrigo-Nelson & Wright 2004). P. simus has been sighted at elevations ranging from 121 m to 1600 m (397.0 to 5249.3 ft) (Wright et al. 2008).
At one study site at Ranamafana National Park in eastern Madagascar, the average temperature is 21°C (69.8°F), but seasonally varies from 4-6° C (39.2-42.8°F) between June-August and 28-30°C (82.4-86.0°F) between November-January (see Tan 1999 and references therein). At this study site, a dry season occurs between April-November and a wet season between December-March (Atsalis 1998).
ECOLOGY
Most of what is known about the behavioral ecology of wild greater bamboo lemurs comes from a single study site at Ranomafana National Park, southeast Madagascar. At this study site, greater bamboo lemurs eat only seven species of plant although in an individual month they may only eat four species or as few as a single one. On a yearly basis, the diet is giant bamboo (Cathariostachys madagascariensis) (95% of the diet), other bamboos and grasses (3%), fruit (0.5%) and other foods (1.5%) (Tan 1999). Both young and old leaves are consumed (Tan 1999; Mutschler & Tan 2003). Diet changes seasonally in terms of the parts of foods eaten, transitioning from a mostly shoot diet to a mostly pith diet (Tan 1999). In the rainy season shoots become 98% of the diet and by the dry season, pith provides 89% of the diet (Tan 1999). At Ranomafana, greater bamboo lemurs will make their way to streams to obtain drinking water (Wright et al. 2008).
P. simus eats the very tough outer stalk (pith) of giant bamboo by puncturing it then peeling off pieces. Through specialized and characteristic feeding behaviors, it is able to access this food while other bamboo lemurs are unable to do so. First, the animal works at the stalk with a tooth until a hole is made. Next, the stalk is held in the mouth and peeled down to the bamboo node, where it is ripped off. Finally, it is held in the lemur’s hand where the inner parts of the stalk are consumed (Yamashita et al. 2009).
In a degraded habitat east of Ranomafana National Park, greater bamboo lemurs ate other foods in addition to bamboo, including flowers, fruits, palms, ginger leaves, grass, and they crop raided rice agriculture (Meier & Rumpler 1987; Tan 2006).
At Ranomafana National Park in southeastern Madagascar, a single group of greater bamboo lemurs had a home range of 0.62 km² (0.24 mi²) (Tan 1999). At Ambolomavo, another group had a home range of 0.40 km² (0.15 mi²) (Andriaholinirina et al. 2003). Further north, at Torotorofotsy, another group had a range of 0.972 km² (0.38 mi²) (Dolch et al. 2008). Of the territory, specific core areas are used preferentially over others (Tan 2000 cited in Tan 2006).
P. simus are cathemeral, but spend the daylight hours resting (50% of the day), feeding (41%), and traveling (6%) (Tan 2000 cited in Tan 2006).
Greater bamboo lemurs are often found in sympatry with other species of primates. For example, at Ranomafana National Park, P. simus is sympatric with brown mouse lemurs (Microcebus rufus), greater dwarf lemurs (Cheirogaleus major), sportive lemurs (Lepilemur sp.), eastern avahis (Avahi laniger), aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis), golden bamboo lemurs (Hapalemur aureus), gray bamboo lemurs (Hapalemur griseus), red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur rufus), red-bellied lemurs (Eulemur rubriventer), and Milne-Edwards’ sifakas (Propithecus edwardsi) (Tan 1999).
Content last modified: July 22, 2010
Written by Kurt Gron.
Cite this page as:
Gron KJ. 2010 July 22. Primate Factsheets: Greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) Taxonomy, Morphology, & Ecology . <http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/greater_bamboo_lemur/taxon>. Accessed 2020 July 22.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND BEHAVIOR
Group size is usually between seven and eleven individuals, although larger group sizes have been seen, up to 26 individuals (Mutschler & Tan 2003; Tan 2006; Wright et al. 2008). Large groups may be the result of habitat disturbance (Tan 1999). Groups are polygynous and may have more than one adult of both sexes (Tan 1999; Mutschler & Tan 2003). The presence or absence of territorial behavior has not been determined but within a group males may be socially dominant, especially in feeding contexts (Andriaholinirina et al. 2003; Tan 2006).
Only males disperse from their natal group, usually around 3.5 years of age (Tan 2000 cited in Tan 2006).
REPRODUCTION
Greater bamboo lemurs mate in late May and June with a corresponding birth season in October and November (Tan 2000 cited Mutschler & Tan 2003; Tan 2006). Gestation in P. simus is 149 days with only single infants born each pregnancy (Tan 2000 cited in Mutschler & Tan 2003; Tan 2006). The interbirth interval is one year (Tan 2000 cited in Mutschler & Tan 2003; Tan 2006). Copulatory play begins at two years of age (Tan 2000 cited in Mutschler & Tan 2003).
PARENTAL CARE
Greater bamboo lemurs do not park their infants in contrast to other bamboo species and mothers carry their young all of the time in the first four months of life (Tan 2000 cited in Tan 2006; Mutschler & Tan 2003; Mittermeier et al. 2006). Most care of the infant is provided by the mother (Mutschler & Tan 2003). Infants are weaned by 8 months old but eat solid bamboo at 8 weeks old (Tan 2000 cited in Tan 2006).
COMMUNICATION
Greater bamboo lemurs are highly vocal, emitting calls during aggression (36.7% of calls), submission (25.7%) and traveling (18.0%) (Bergey & Patel 2008). Seven general call types are described, including, “agitated” calls, “bahh” calls, “breathe out” calls, “contact calls,” “purr” calls, “squeal” calls, and “woof” calls (Bergey & Patel 2008). Calls emitted during aggression include “agitated” calls, “breathe out” calls, and “woof” calls (Bergey & Patel 2008). “Purr” calls are common during affiliation and resting (Bergey & Patel 2008).
Tail-wagging indicates aggression (Bergey & Patel 2008).
Content last modified: July 22, 2010
Written by Kurt Gron.
Cite this page as:
Gron KJ. 2010 July 22. Primate Factsheets: Greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) Behavior . <http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/greater_bamboo_lemur/behav>. Accessed 2020 July 22.
INTERNATIONAL STATUS
For individual primate species conservation status, please search the IUCN Red List.
Also search the current scientific literature for primate conservation status (overall as well as for individual species), and visit CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
Conservation information last updated in 2010 follows, for comparison:
The critically endangered greater bamboo lemur is one of the World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates and may have some of the lowest surviving numbers of any primate, estimated at between only 100 and 160 individuals left in the wild (Wright et al. 2008; Mittermeier et al. 2009; Wright et al. 2009). Unfortunately, there are no truly workable breeding programs of captive individuals (Tan 2006). Populations are protected only in the Ranomafana and Andringitra National Parks and are discontinuous and patchy (Mutschler & Tan 2003). They are also said to be particularly vulnerable due to their narrow and specific diet, making them highly susceptible to local habitat disturbance (Tan 2006).
Threat: Human-Induced Habitat Loss and Degradation
As is the case with all lemurs, one of the predominant threats to the greater bamboo lemur is habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation (Tan 2006). To put its profound modern habitat loss in perspective, the current range is estimated to represent only 1-4% of its former range (Wright et al. 2008). Slash-and-burn agricultural activities are a main threat to habitat although bamboo harvesting, mining, and timber exploitation also degrade suitable forests (Meier & Rumpler 1987; Mutschler & Tan 2003; Dolch et al. 2008).
Threat: Harvesting (hunting/gathering)
P. simus are threatened by subsistence hunters using slingshots and snares (Meier & Rumpler 1987; Mittermeier et al. 2006).
LINKS TO MORE ABOUT CONSERVATION
CONSERVATION INFORMATION
- No current links for Prolemur simus
- Links for all species
CONSERVATION NEWS
- New hope for world’s rarest lemur species in Madagascar (BBC; March 1, 2011)
- Scientists provide a lifeline for Madagascar’s “panda” (Conservation International; October 6, 2009)
- Extended habitat for the greater bamboo lemur: NGOs (Associated Press; October 5, 2009)
- New Rare Lemur Group Found in Swamp (National Geographic News; July 22, 2008)
- Links for all species
ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN Prolemur simus CONSERVATION
Content last modified: July 22, 2010
Written by Kurt Gron.
Cite this page as:
Gron KJ. 2010 July 22. Primate Factsheets: Greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) Conservation . <http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/greater_bamboo_lemur/cons>. Accessed 2020 July 22.
The following references were used in the writing of this factsheet. To find current references for P. simus, search PrimateLit.
REFERENCES
Andriaholinirina VN, Fausser J-L, Rabarivola JC. 2003. Étude comparative de Hapalemur simus (Gray, 1870) de deux sites de la province autonome de Fianarantsoa, Madagascar: forêt secondaire do Park National de Ranomafana. Lemur News 8:9-13.
Arrigo-Nelson SJ, Wright PC. 2004. Survey results from Ranomafana National Park: new evidence for the effects of habitat preference and disturbance on the distribution of Hapalemur. Folia Primatol 75(5):331-4.
Atsalis S. 1998. Feeding ecology and aspects of life history in Microcebus rufus (Family Cheirogaleidae, Order Primates). PhD dissertation, City University of New York.
Ankel-Simons F. 2007. Primate anatomy: an introduction, third edition. San Diego: Elsevier. 724p.
Bergey C, Patel ER. 2008. A preliminary vocal repertoire of the greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus): classification and contexts. Nexus 1(1):69-84.
Dolch R, Fiely JL, Ndriamiary J-N, Rafalimandimby J, Randriamampionona R, Engberg SE, Louis Jr EE. 2008. Confirmation of the greater bamboo lemur, Prolemur simus, north of the Torotorofotsy wetlands, eastern Madagascar. Lemur News 13:14-7.
Garbutt N. 1999. Mammals of Madagascar. Sussex: Pica Pr.
Godfrey L, Vuillaume-Randriamanantena M. 1986. Hapalemur simus: endangered lemur once widespread. Prim Conserv 7:92-6.
Godfrey LR, Simons EL, Jungers WL, DeBlieux DD, Chatrath P. 2004. New discovery of subfossil Hapalemur simus, the greater bamboo lemur, in western Madagascar. Lemur News 9:9-11.
Groves C. 2005. Order primates. In: Wilson DE, Reeder DM, editors. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference, third edition, volume 1. Baltimore (MD): Johns Hopkins U Pr. p111-84.
Groves C. 2001. Primate taxonomy. Washington DC: Smithsonian Inst Pr. 350 p.
Konstant WR, Ganzhorn JR, Johnson S. 2005. Greater bamboo lemur, Prolemur simus (Gray, 1871). In: Mittermeier RA, Valladares-Pádua, Rylands AB, Eudey AA, Butynski TM, Ganzhorn JU, Kormos R, Agular JM, Walker S, editors. Primates in peril: the world’s 25 most endangered primates 2004-2006. Washington, D.C.: IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group. p12-3.
Meier B, Albignac R, Peyriéras A, Rumpler Y, Wright P. 1987. A new species of Hapalemur (Primates) from south east Madagascar. Folia Primatol 48(3-4):211-5.
Meier B, Rumpler Y. 1987. Preliminary survey of Hapalemur simus and of a new species of Hapalemur in eastern Betsileo, Madagascar. Prim Conserv 8:40-3.
Mittermeier RA, Konstant WR, Hawkins F, Louis EE, Landgrand O, Ratsimbazafy J, Rasoloarison R, Ganzhorn JU, Rajaobelina S, Tattersall I, Meyers DM. 2006. Lemurs of Madagascar, second edition. Washington, D.C.:Conservation Int.
Mittermeier RA, Wallis J, Rylands AB, Ganzhorn JU, Oates JF, Williamson EA, Palacios E, Heymann EW, Kierulff MCM, Long Y, Supriatna J, Roos C, Walker S, Cortés-Ortiz L, Schwitzer C. 2009. Primates in peril: the world’s 25 most endangered primates, 2008-2010. Arlington(VA): IUCN/SSC PSG, IPS, Conservation Intl.
Mutschler T, Tan CL. 2003. Hapalemur, bamboo or gentle lemurs. In: Goodman SM, Benstead JP, editors. The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago: U Chicago Pr. p1324-9.
Tan CL. 2000. Behavior and ecology of three sympatric bamboo lemur species (genus Hapalemur) in Ranomafana national Park, Madagascar. PhD dissertation, State University of New York, Stony Brook. Tan CL. 2006. Behavior and ecology of gentle lemurs (Genus Hapalemur). In: Gould L, Sauther ML, editors. Lemurs: ecology and adaptation. New York: Springer. p 369-81.
Tan CL. 1999. Group composition, home range size, and diet of three sympatric bamboo lemur species (Genus Hapalemur) in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. Int J Primatol 20(4):547-66.
Weigl R. 2005. Longevity of mammals in captivity; from the living collections of the world. Stuttgart: E. Schweizerbartsche Verlagsbuchhandlung. 214p.
Wright PC, Johnson SE, Irwin MT, Jacobs R, Schlichting P, Lehman S, Louis Jr EE, Arrigo-Nelson SJ, Raharison J-L, Rafalirarison RR, Razafindratsita V, Ratsimbazafy J, Ratelolahy FJ, Dolch R, Tan C. 2008. The crisis of critically endangered greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus). Prim Conserv 23:5-17.
Wright PC, Larney E, Louis Jr. EE, Dolch R, Rafaliarison RR. 2009. Greater bamboo lemur. In: Mittermeier RA, Wallis J, Rylands AB, Ganzhorn JU, Oates JF, Williamson EA, Palacios E, Heymann EW, Kierulff MCM, Long Y, Supriatna J, Roos C, Walker S, Cortés-Ortiz L, Schwitzer, editors. Primates in peril: the world’s 25 most endangered primates, 2008-2010. Arlington(VA): IUCN/SSC PSG, IPS, Conservation Int. p 11-4.
Yamashita N, Vinyard CJ, Tan CL. 2009. Food mechanical properties in three sympatric species of Hapalemur in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. Am J Primatol 139(3):368-81.
Content last modified: July 22, 2010
IMAGES
 |
Prolemur simus Photo: Cedric Girard-Buttoz |
 |
Prolemur simus Photo: Cedric Girard-Buttoz |
 |
Prolemur simus Photo: Cedric Girard-Buttoz |
 |
Prolemur simus Photo: Tomas Junek |
Primate Info Net (PIN) is maintained by the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with countless grants and contributions from others over time. PIN is an ever-growing community effort: if you’d like to contribute, or have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.