Expensive and dangerous: Thick lorises live in a city apartment in Tula

Characteristics of a funny animal

This animal with its appearance evokes only tenderness.
On the small muzzle, large sad eyes are visible from afar, the expressiveness of which is emphasized by dark rings. There are two types of loris: greater and lesser. How are they different? Now we'll tell you. The first is size. The small loris weighs no more than 700 g, and the great loris weighs no more than 1.2 kg. That is, the difference in mass is almost twofold. Color is the second difference. The small loris is beige, and the big one is light gray with a beige (or red) butt and a stripe on the back. The third difference is the degree of bite. The small one bites less and does not hurt as much as the big one.

Good conditions

So, if you still intend, no matter what, to have such an animal at home, promising to provide it with all the necessary conditions for its comfortable existence, this section is just for you.

Before buying a lemur, you need to prepare a place of residence for it. This is perhaps the most important component, because the saying “my home is my castle” is equally relevant for both humans and animals.

A large cage, or even better, an enclosure for primates, is suitable as a future abode. It should have a vertical shape, that is, be extended from bottom to top. Lories are nocturnal animals, so it is very important for them to be able to climb higher for privacy and sleep during the daytime. These primates do not need horizontal space for galloping.

In addition to the fact that the lemur should be kept in a vertical house, it is also important to consider that it is an arboreal animal, accustomed to climbing from branch to branch in search of food or to mark its territory.

We will also say a few words about the territoriality of the loris. Speaking about the high-altitude lifestyle of the animal, we note that it is imperative to recreate the lemur as much as possible, at least a semblance of the conditions of its daily life in the wild.

To do this, it would be best to install something like a house in the upper part of the enclosure, where the animal can rest, hidden from prying eyes. And from the house to the base of the living area it would be very correct to hang something resembling vines and branches suitable for climbing over them.

It would also be wise to make one or more horizontal crossbars leading from the house to the opposite part of the enclosure. You can also place one obliquely, from bottom to top. The lemur will happily climb them, using the vines and crossbars as the means of communication that he is accustomed to in the wild.

Also, don't forget about the tray. Lori, as a rule, gets used to a certain place of the toilet quite well, without creating problems for the owners. But this does not always happen.

If the lemur ignores the tray, you should simply provide adequate flooring at the bottom of the enclosure. Here sawdust or special purchased filler will come to our aid.

You should also strictly observe the temperature regime indoors. Loris are accustomed to living in dry and warm tropical forests. Animals easily catch colds from drafts or hypothermia, and you are unlikely to be able to find a veterinarian who understands the intricacies of lemur treatment in our area.

Let's move on to the nutritional features of this animal. Loris are omnivorous animals with a predominance of fruits and insects in their diet. Also, these animals may well use the found bird eggs for their intended purpose, sometimes along with the birds themselves, if they are caught.

The owner of the loris lemur should feed his ward the following dishes:

• bananas, kiwi, grapes;
• melon, papaya;
• apples, pears, plums;
• cherry and raspberry;
• quail eggs.

You can also buy shrimp for the animal if possible. Lorises also happily eat baby foods, such as puree mixtures or curds. The lemur will also be grateful for the cookie you receive.

It may seem that keeping loris at home is not so problematic, but everything is not as simple as it might seem at first glance.

Classification

The internal taxonomy of the taxon is as follows. The lemur-like infraorder includes six families:

• hand-footed;
• dwarf lemurs;
• Lepilemuraceae;
• lemurs;
• megaladapids (an extinct group of animals);
• indriaceae.

The lemur family, in turn, is divided into five genera:

• common lemurs (includes species such as crowned lemur, white lemur, mongoose lemur);
• gentle lemurs (which includes the golden lemur, the gentle lemur);
• lemur (ring-tailed lemur);
• prolemur (includes the broad-nosed lemur);
• ruffed lemurs (including species such as ruffed lemur and rufous ruffed lemur);
• pachylemur (extinct).

Lemur with his child

Why no rather than yes

Here we will try once again to emphasize and give proper arguments why with or a dog, instead of a loris lemur.

In most cases, exotic lovers are disappointed in their naughty pets, because loris lemurs are practically impossible to train, especially by a non-professional.

These are originally wild animals, and also very capricious. They are not always litter trained, and attempts to set the animal on the right path may end with you counting the number of teeth the animal has from the prints on your hand. The number will be considerable, you can be sure that lorises bite painfully and quite willingly, especially the larger variety.

These are also territorial animals, accustomed to defending their rights to their place of residence. Males can sometimes be especially radical, which is not surprising.

Cases have been recorded more than once when the owners of these animals were forced to go to the medical center after being attacked by their lemur with bitten wrists. Sometimes such an incident ended in hospitalization due to allergies after a bite.

In general, you should remember that a lemur is not a dog that can be trained. This is not a cat who listens to your voice and wants affection. Laurie doesn't need our attention, he demands our absence. As they say, feel the difference.

And finally, we will tell you how lemurs are transported for the purpose of sale to exotic lovers. They are caught in whole groups, placed in cramped, crammed containers, and transported like that. Upon arrival, those lemurs who survive, barely alive, are sent to trading sites.

But when asked how long loris lemurs live, we will answer that nature gives this animal 15-20 years, which is not so short for an animal. So is it worth encouraging their barbaric catching just for short-term fun?

Where to keep a pet

The protective status prohibits the export of all loris species from their natural habitat, as well as their trade. Therefore, transportation of animals is carried out illegally; they are distributed as contraband goods. During transportation, animals are in unsuitable conditions, where they have time to exchange diseases or injure each other. Upon arrival, most of the animals turn out to be unhealthy.

The eyes of a healthy loris are transparent, shiny, and without discharge. The teeth are white and strong.

Private breeders sell six-month-old individuals for $100-200. In nurseries and pet stores, the price can be 10-20 times higher, depending on the type of animal and the care provided to it. The establishment is required to provide a veterinary passport, a certificate of origin, and a certificate of health of the animal.

• For domestic lemurs, cages with both metal and wooden rods, as well as mixed types, are suitable. The best option is a large and spacious enclosure.
• By nature, the lemur is a very active animal, and it requires a lot of space to satisfy its thirst for movement. Otherwise, instead of the thickets in his homeland, he will turn the owner’s apartment upside down.
• It is better to take ceramic, glass or porcelain dishes for eating and drinking. In general, domestic lemurs are careful and careful, but if the animal was caught in the wild at an adult age, there will be more than enough problems with it; it will not be able to live in captivity.

Of course, you need to choose a healthy animal. But how can you determine your health status by appearance? A healthy loris lemur has shiny eyes, fluffy clean fur and white strong teeth. A healthy animal hisses and escapes from the hands. There must be documents for this animal: a veterinary passport, pedigree, and a health certificate.

The lemur loris is a very cautious animal. It will take a long time for it to get used to you. For the first few days, try not to touch the animal, then gradually accustom it to hand feeding. When your animal recognizes you as its owner, it will become very sweet and affectionate.

Before buying an animal such as a loris lemur, you need to prepare a cozy place in the house for it, so that upon arrival it will have a place to settle down. Either a large cage or a vertical aviary is suitable for keeping.

You need to locate your home in a warm room, where there are no sudden temperature changes, drafts or high humidity. These animals can catch a cold very easily. It is also necessary to remember that lorises are very curious animals. Therefore, do not place the cage near any objects, as the animal may reach them.

Lori leads an active nocturnal lifestyle and sleeps during the day. Therefore, you need to make a house in a cage or in a higher enclosure so that the animal feels calm and can hide from prying eyes at any time. Wooden poles or branches should be tied to the walls. The animal will be happy to climb on them. By the way, did you know that lorises leave their marks on branches? Thanks to them, the animals feel calmer.

Be sure to place a tray with fillers in the enclosure. A smart animal will understand for itself what it is needed for. Some people, however, have trouble getting used to the toilet. Then you need, instead of a tray, to cover the entire floor of the cage or enclosure with sawdust or a special wooden filler.

A few words before purchasing

If you have not yet decided whether to buy a lemur or not, be sure to read the following information. In it we will list the features of keeping a lemur at home and outline the points that the future owner should understand.

1. A lemur in its natural habitat is a very mobile animal; during the night this little one is able to cover several kilometers, moving exclusively through trees. It follows from this that the lemur cannot be limited to a small cage. Your future pet needs space, and the more space, the better for the animal.
2. The lemur is a social animal. If you have a limited supply of time and you cannot devote enough attention to your pet, you should either refuse to buy a pet lemur or get him a mate. Alone, a lemur at home will most likely soon become bored and refuse food, which can lead to illness and death of the animal. It is worth buying animals of the same age so that they do not conflict with each other.
3. The lemur from Madagascar is a nocturnal animal, which means that it is better not to disturb your pet during the day, and the animal’s peak activity will occur at night. This may cause some inconvenience to the owner if the cage with the animal is located close to the bed.
4. Fractional feeding of the animal. It is recommended to feed the lemur twice a day, and the main part of the food should be given to the pet at night, but the second time the lemur should be offered food immediately after the animal wakes up.

What kind of animal is a lemur?

Different types of lemurs differ significantly from each other in their external characteristics. What an animal looks like depends on its species. Common to all representatives of the order is the presence of incisors and canines of the lower jaw, which protrude forward. Another unifying feature is the elongated claw on the second finger of the lower limbs, with which animals “comb” their thick fur.

Lemurs are endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros Islands. The name "lemur" in Ancient Rome meant "ghost", "spirit". This is probably due to the nocturnal lifestyle of mammals, as well as the large size of the eyes of these animals. A lemur with large eyes, flying from branch to branch, almost invisible to the human eye under the cover of darkness, emitting a specific cry, can really be associated with a mysterious spirit or ghost.

Primates range in size from the smallest (“mouse-sized”) to comparable to a small dog. Some fossil species were the size of a large dog. The largest representatives of lemur-like animals are the indri - they grow up to a meter and can weigh up to 10 kg. The smallest are dwarf lemurs, whose height does not exceed 23 cm, of which 10 cm is the length of the tail. The weight of mouse lemurs is 50 grams.

The habitat of these animals is tropical forests. In these conditions they feel very comfortable due to their ability to climb and jump well on tree branches. The limbs of lemurs are five-fingered, and the thumb of the front paws is opposed to the rest, which makes it possible to firmly cling to branches and irregularities in the bark.

Most members of the family are nocturnal and sleep in nests during the day. Lemurs live in groups of 4 to 60 individuals, as well as in pairs and alone.

The muzzle of most of these animals has an elongated shape. The eyes are usually disproportionately large and the gaze is directed forward, giving the impression of a surprised expression. Eye color ranges from orange-red to brown-yellow. In rare cases, blue-eyed primates are found, in particular Sclater's black lemur.

The ratio of the lengths of the fore and hind limbs depends on the species of the animal. Some members of the family have much longer front legs than their hind legs. This is due to the way of life of lemurs, namely the need to climb trees. Species of lemurs that live on land, on the contrary, have more developed hind legs, or relatively the same size of both pairs of limbs.

Most lemurs boast a luxurious tail, which performs a number of important functions:

• help balance while running and jumping;
• serve as a means of grasping branches and holding the animal suspended;
• are a signaling tool for relatives.

Indri lemurs are deprived of such capabilities, since the length of their tail does not exceed 5 cm.

Ring-tailed lemur

What kind of cell should it be?

A house for a lemur must be chosen according to its size. The animal must move freely around the cage or enclosure. Then he will grow well and develop properly. To make the baby more comfortable, it is necessary to build a sleeping place in his house. To do this, you can put an old hat or build a small “room”. In this place, the pet will be able to rest and sleep peacefully, away from prying eyes.

Be sure to put bedding on the bottom of the cage. Hay, straw or cotton wool are best suited for this. You also need to place several tree branches in the enclosure so that your pet can climb on them.

It is necessary to constantly monitor the cleanliness and order in the cage. To do this, you will have to carry out daily cleaning. The litter needs to be changed at least once a month.

The location for the cage also needs to be chosen very carefully. It is advisable to install it in a quiet, remote area of ​​the house, without drafts or heating devices nearby.

Keeping a lemur at home

Such is the nature of wild animals, to which the domestic lemur belongs, that they go to the toilet wherever they want. It is impossible to accustom them to one place, and, except for aggression on the part of the lemur, the owner will not get any result. All that remains is to come to terms with this or refuse to purchase such an exotic animal.

Also, you should not offend a lemur or try to teach something against its will. He is very affectionate to his owners, and if he comes to terms with their behavior, he will delight you with his affection and curiosity.

You shouldn't have any difficulties caring for your pet. After all, everything here is quite simple. You need to feed the animal once a day. The cage needs to be cleaned every three weeks, and the tray every four to five days. The bedding in the house should be changed every day, since during sleep the loris can urinate on it, and sleeping on a wet animal is prohibited due to pain.

Housing

An example of good arrangement of an enclosure - enough living space, easy-to-climb structures, use of natural materials

The best home for a lemur would be a large, spacious cage or an enclosure for medium-sized primates. It is important that the ceilings are high - this feature will allow the animals to feel comfortable and safe while sleeping. The width is not important: the slow and calm loris does not require too much space for active racing and games.

It is necessary to bring the living conditions in the cage closer to the conditions of a tropical forest, to roughly recreate the landscape, to provide the space with tree branches and strong vines, which the animal is used to climbing in the wild. In the absence of living vegetation, strong ropes and a rope ladder will do. A pair of horizontal wooden bars will make it easier for the animal to move.

The cage should be located away from wires, curtains, and indoor plants so that the animal cannot reach surrounding objects with its paws.

Lemurs are reluctant to get used to the tray, so the bottom of the enclosure must be covered with a thick layer of sawdust or granulated animal litter.

External conditions

The indoor climate should correspond to the tropical one: high temperature (20-25 ⁰C) and high humidity. It is better to place the enclosure further from windows, doors and cracks, in the recess of the room, where the pet will not be afraid of a draft.

It is important to monitor the constancy of indicators - temperature changes are fraught with the appearance of stress and colds.

Cohabitation

Consequences of introducing two competing individuals into one enclosure

Lorises feel most comfortable alone. At home, they can get along in small groups, but it is important to provide each animal with enough personal space.

You should not allow other pets near the lemur - it can eat small ornamental birds, and mistake large animals for potential enemies.

Nutrition

Under natural conditions, lorises consume both plant and animal foods, i.e. they are omnivores. The natural diet of lemurs includes:

• insects and arthropods (including poisonous ones);
• small vertebrates;
• flower nectar;
• tree resin, sap, bark;
• greenery;
• soft fruits, flowering parts of fruit trees;
• eggs of lizards and birds.

Specialized dry food for loris lemurs has not yet been developed, so the owner must be ready to provide his exotic pet with access to fresh food at any time.

At home they eat:

• pears, apples, plums;
• papaya, melon pulp;
• grapes, medium-ripe bananas and kiwi;
• cherries, raspberries;
• cucumbers, carrots.

It is important to give food in small pieces.

The diet must be supplemented with protein foods: quail eggs, caterpillars, dragonflies, cockroaches, large insects. A valuable source of energy is shrimp. Before feeding, they need to be scalded in boiling water.

Treats for the animal will include baby foods (fruit purees and sugar-free curds), dried berries and fruits, nuts and biscuits. However, you should not abuse them - there is a high risk of developing diabetes.

The lemur eats animal and plant foods: vegetables, fruits, bread, cereals, chicken eggs, dairy products, chicken fillet, milk worms and insects. Lori loves sweets, and if she refuses food, add honey to it, and your pet will be much more willing to eat the food. Hand feed your pet from the very beginning so that he gradually gets used to you without feeling threatened.

But under no circumstances feed from our table! The best diet for this animal is a third of everything (fruits and vegetables, cereals, insects, fermented milk products); if the diet is not prepared in this way, the loris may get sick. To ensure that you always have insects in your diet, you can freeze them in the freezer in the summer!

To begin with, the baby will need a spacious cage or enclosure, since it will take him a long time to get used to the new environment. You can make rods from any material, the main thing is to create natural conditions in the cage - a house, a nest, trees, branches, just don’t overdo it, free places are also necessary. Place several bowls for water and food, change the water daily.

Place the cage in a quiet place, without drafts, direct sunlight and sources of strong heat (radiators). It is also necessary to install a UV lamp; turn it on during the day for several hours.

Perform general cleaning daily, wiping everything with a damp cloth and removing waste; besides, it is better to throw away old products so that they do not cause poisoning. Of course, over time the animal will get used to it, and you can let it out for a walk in your house, getting used to being handled, but it does not get along at all with children and other pets.

1. Lemur Lori does not adapt well to conditions in nature

2. At its core, a lemur resembles a sloth

3. Laurie is slow due to his massiveness

4. In captivity, lorises rarely reproduce, so the species is becoming extinct

5. Lori may have several babies

6. The father carries the baby on his back most of the time, not the mother.

7. Lorises mark their territory with urine.

8. Loris can eat small birds

Recently, lemurs have become very popular among pet lovers. People are attracted by the unusual appearance of these animals and their funny behavior. Pets most often become small lemurs (for example, the mouse lemur - loris), which quickly and easily get used to a new environment. At the same time, owners are recommended to create conditions that are as close to natural as possible.

Cell

Lemurs must be kept in spacious, vertically oriented enclosures, which must be equipped with:

• a house for shelter during the day;
• branches (or even wood) for climbing;
• drinking bowl and food bowl;
• filler for rodents.

The material from which the cage is made is not particularly important. Drinking water should be changed as often as possible. It is highly not recommended to heavily clutter the space, since the animal needs a lot of space to play. It is best to place the cage in the corner of the room, where there is no access to drafts and too bright lighting.

Lemurs feel most comfortable in twilight. The cage can be equipped with an ultraviolet lamp, which should be turned on during the daytime for 1.5-2 hours. It is recommended to fill the bottom of the home with sawdust. It is necessary to clean the cage daily of lemur waste products. Thorough cleaning is carried out monthly.

It is known that lemurs eat mainly plant foods. In the wild, their diet also includes small birds, lizards and invertebrates. At home, animals should be fed vegetables and fruits.

Also, the animals will not refuse bread, meat and eggs. One of the most favorite delicacies of lemurs are insects - to please your pet, you can purchase such food at a pet store. For proper nutrition and maintaining the health of the animal, do not forget to treat your pet with vitamin supplements. Feeding is carried out once a day.

MMM tasty!..

It is noteworthy that lemurs do not respond to a nickname, so it is completely useless to accustom the animal to a name. Lemurs are neutral towards other animals in the apartment.

These animals do not have the habit of chewing furniture.

If treated well, the lemur quickly becomes attached to its owner.

The mouse lemur does not like to be left alone; it needs affection and attention. To make the animal feel happy, it is enough to spend only 30 minutes a day with it. It is allowed to keep lemurs in pairs.

The nature of these animals is such that it seems impossible to train them to go to the toilet in the same place. You should not force the animal to do something against its will. Otherwise, other than aggression on the part of the animal, the owner will not get any result.

Lemurs are characterized by curiosity and the habit of exploring the surrounding space.

Animals are clean, so it is not necessary to wash them.

In the wild, the lifespan of these mammals can reach 15 years. At home, a lemur can live from 20 to 30 years. The longevity of a pet will depend on the quality of its maintenance.

Nutrition

Of course, the question of what to feed the lemur should be given due attention. Lemurs eat both products of plant and animal origin, these can be:

• Fruits vegetables
• Boiled chicken fillet
• Small insects (cockroaches, grasshoppers)
• Mealworms
• Various cereals

The best rule to use is 1/3 of a lemur's diet should consist of insects, another third of cereals and dairy products, and a third of fruits and vegetables.

You can stock up on food for your pet for future use by freezing it in the freezer; this applies to both vegetables and all kinds of insects, although it is now not difficult to buy both at any time of the year.

It should be noted that lemurs are prone to diabetes and obesity, so feeding them only ready-made formulas is not recommended.
You can occasionally offer your pet balanced food purchased at the store, but you should not do this all the time. Did you like the article?
Take it to your wall and support the project! And also a very specific representative of the animal world - the lemur. Gradually they increasingly fill the hearts of people and become their friends.

Characteristics of a funny animal

Lory lemurs are nocturnal predators. During the day they sleep, and in the dark they show vital activity. The animals behave very calmly, make slow, careful movements, never jump on branches, but smoothly intercept them with their paws. When hunting or when in contact with other individuals, they make various sounds.

Animals prefer to lead a solitary lifestyle. In their natural habitat, they mark their territory and show aggression towards strangers as potential competitors. Animals can unite into small species groups, but this rarely happens.

Lorises adapt to non-critical environmental changes by going into prolonged hibernation. This allows them to survive unfavorable periods: famine or natural disasters. In case of danger, lemurs remain motionless for a long time: this is how their defense mechanism works.

With proper care, the animals show curiosity, behave friendly and playful. Can't stand bright light.

If you plan to have several lorises, then remember that conflict situations may arise between the animals. Although usually males and females get along well, there may still be times when one of the animals wants to be alone. If you keep several individuals in one cell, then in any case a hierarchy will appear.

Since these animals are intelligent and curious, the door to their home should be equipped with a locking mechanism that the loris cannot open. An escaped animal is a problem; it can get into various troubles in the apartment.

Features of life in nature

• First, decide where the lemur will live. This can be a free cage or an aviary. Although, of course, you can let the animal run. In this regard, they are even better than cats: they won’t drop or break anything, and they move carefully and quietly. You need to line the cage with cotton wool or dry hay to make the animal comfortable. Also place tree branches in the cage. Don't forget to clean the lemur's cage, otherwise the smell will make you regret buying it.
• The animals are not picky when it comes to feeding - you can feed them fruits, eggs, cereals, milk or insects. If insects are not sold in the pet store in your city, you can collect them yourself, and the lemur himself can catch a couple of flies flying by. Your lemur may prefer to eat meat, then it (meaning meat) will need to be boiled.
• If you want to opt for buying a lemur, keep in mind that the lemur is a nocturnal animal. Its name goes back to the Latin word “spirit”. So if you are not a sound sleeper, the animal may interfere.

These creatures spend most of their lives in motion: they jump from branch to branch, thus covering a long distance. The long tail, which sometimes exceeds the length of the entire body, acts as a kind of means of balance and coordination when moving. Most species of lemurs live in packs with a certain hierarchy. They communicate with each other using sounds reminiscent of purring or grunting, and sometimes even a piercing scream.

Did you know? Almost all species of these primates have a matriarchy. The female has food advantages and chooses the male during the mating season. In their natural habitat, where wild representatives live, the vast majority of lemurs are active only at night, sleeping during the day in the darkest corners of the forest, taking strange poses (clinging with their paws to a branch and wrapping their tail around their head; sometimes they sleep in pairs, forming a ball of fur) . They feed on fruits, grass, leaves, flowers, insects, and practically do not need water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZZgUgl62x0

Today, these interesting animals thrive in zoos because they are very friendly and only show aggression in cases of great stress.

Lemur: description and living conditions

Appearance of the lemur loris

The description of Loriids includes a striking distinctive feature - large oval-shaped eyes slightly protruding above the surface of the muzzle. Like most predators, these animals have binocular vision, that is, the eyes are located in front in the same plane. The ears are small and inconspicuous. Acute hearing and good vision help navigate in the dark.

The body of the animals is densely covered with short, soft hair; the color is dominated by gray and brown shades. On the back, the cover is usually darker and smoother.

The slow loris does not have a tail; in other species, the length of the tail does not exceed 1 cm. As is typical for primates, the thumb is opposed to the palm for greater grip. These tree dwellers have well-developed muscles in the forelimbs: with their fingers they are able to grasp a branch tightly.

The body length of an adult varies between 15-40 cm and depends on the specific species:

1. 1. Small (dwarf) loris – 17-21 cm.
2. 2. Javan loris – 24-40 cm.
3. 3. Slender loris – 15-25 cm with a maximum weight of only 320 g.
4. 4. Slow loris – 18-40 cm and weighing 1.5 kg.
5. 5. Slow loris - 26-38 cm with 0.8-1.6 kg.

The characteristics of the individual, body size, thickness and quality of wool depend on the level of maintenance, care, and timely provision of medical care.

Life expectancy is from 15 to 20 years.

The homeland of this cute animal is the Comoros Islands and Madagascar. It was from there that the baby, one of the most primitive primates, appeared all over the world. Lemurs are nocturnal, some of them live above, while others live on the ground. The tail of a lemur is an integral part of its body, which can be compared to another hand.

The size of the domestic lemur is comparable to that of an ordinary cat. Its weight varies, depending on the species, from 10 g to 30 kg. A distinctive feature of this fabulous creature is its large and expressive eyes, which cannot leave anyone indifferent.

Compared to other primates, domestic lemurs do not play pranks, are calmer, not embittered and not irritable. They do not cause such troubles as, for example, baboons, monkeys, macaques and other monkeys, and they adapt to the climate faster. Female domestic lemurs are less flexible and trainable than males.

Description of the species

The lemur is a tropical animal with a stunning appearance and a rather good-natured character. Since the animal is social, it is easily tamed and gets used to the owner. The animal has a yellowish fur color and weighs about 10 kg. It is worth noting that male lemurs are more docile and easier to tame than females.

How long do lemurs live? The answer to this question is ambiguous. In its natural habitat, the average lifespan of a lemur does not exceed 15 years. A lemur at home can live from 20 to 30 years, depending on the care of the pet.

Habitat

The natural habitat of Loriids is the tropical forests of Central Africa, South and Southeast Asia:

1. 1. Small loris - forested areas of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.
2. 2. Javan loris is endemic to the island of Java.
3. 3. Slender loris - South India and Sri Lanka.
4. 4. Thick loris - northeastern regions of India, Indonesia, Bangladesh. Found in northern China and the Philippines.
5. 5. Slow loris – Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Java, Sumatra.

They do not live in Madagascar or in the arid regions of Africa.

At the moment, all species of the Loriaceae family are listed in the Red Book as vulnerable and on the verge of extinction.

What to consider when buying a lemur

It is, of course, more difficult to buy a lemur than a dog or a cat, and they cost an order of magnitude more. The buyer may be completely unaware of some of the nuances of the purchase. When buying a lemur, be sure to pay attention to such things as:

documents confirming that the animal is legal and not contraband;

lemurs are included in the Red Book, therefore the removal of lemurs from their own habitat is prohibited;

wild animals can carry infections that are dangerous to humans;

The seller must have a certificate of all vaccinations given to the lemur.

Lemur loris: care and maintenance

Cell

• The diet of lemurs is varied and includes both animal and plant products. A third of the diet of domestic lemurs should consist of insects, fermented milk products and porridge, plant foods. They eat mealworms, fruits, hard-boiled eggs, bread soaked in boiling water, millet milk or rice porridge.
• If your animal is picky about food and refuses certain vegetables, brush them with honey or sprinkle with pollen.
• The water container should always be filled with water. In nutrition, one cannot allow a lack of some foods and an excess of others. Otherwise, it can lead to developmental problems and diseases. The animal should not be given table scraps to avoid allergic reactions.
• Since the lemur is a nocturnal animal, it is better to feed it at night. You can try to teach him to eat during the day, but you shouldn’t force it.

In their natural environment, these animals feed on insects and other small prey. They eat small reptiles and birds with great pleasure. In addition, such lemurs feed on plant foods.

Some lorises specialize in a high-calorie diet, which consists of tree sap (gnawed from the bark of a tree) and flower nectar. By the way, it is likely that for this reason lorises actively gnaw branches in their cage or enclosure.

In captivity, the main food is plant matter. Loris eat bananas, kiwi, grapes and tomatoes with great pleasure. These lemurs also consume other vegetables and fruits. Let us note the fact that each loris is an individual person who has his own preferences in food. In addition, the animal’s daily diet should include insects, such as locusts, crickets or zoophobass.

In order to establish contact with the animal, use its favorite food (feed by hand). Most of all, lorises love insects such as zoophobas. For the sake of this delicacy, even the most grouchy animal will be ready to leave its shelter. Remember that the loris lemur is not as easy to tame as it seems at first glance; this animal has rather sharp teeth and bites painfully.

These animals are not sold in pet stores. If you seriously want to purchase a lemur, you will need to look for special nurseries. They are scattered throughout Russia, and finding them is not difficult. Many of them deliver even outside the country.

By purchasing such an animal, you gain a furry friend who promises to be affectionate and friendly, unpretentious in maintenance, sweet and calm.

Feeding

A ring-tailed lemur at home requires a certain type of nutrition, similar to what is available to it in the wild. The basis is plant food: vegetables, fruits. They account for up to 35% of the total diet. Up to 30% are insects, at home flies, cockroaches, mealyworms. The remaining part is filled with cereals, fermented milk products, bread (soaked in milk), and bird eggs.

A wonderful addition in the spring will be young shoots, buds, and in the summer - tree leaves and flowers.

They usually eat at night. The animals are fed after waking up, at about eight to nine o'clock in the evening. Lemurs can be very picky about their food. To get them to eat healthy vegetables, you can dip them in honey or sprinkle them with pollen.

Like other pets, lemurs require constant access to fresh water. Food should always be fresh. Remains of food are removed to prevent them from rotting and the development of pathogenic microbes. It is better to select dishes for the animal from porcelain, glass or ceramics.

In principle, animals can be trained to eat food during the day, but this can only happen if the lemur himself wants it. Females are less susceptible to education than males.

Health problems

To avoid many problems, do not feed your pet sausage, yoghurt, sweets and other goodies from the table. Lori will eat all this, but then various diseases of the digestive system may occur. If you feed only soft food, the animal will develop plaque on its teeth. It can also lead to the formation of tartar.

Lemur loris at home must receive a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals from food, since a deficiency will cause health problems. If there is a lack of roughage in the pet’s diet, then constipation, flatulence, etc. are possible. By the way, bloating is dangerous for loris, since the intestinal walls are very thin, as a result of which there is a high probability of their rupture. For flatulence, you need to give your pet activated charcoal or dill tea. It is also advisable to stroke his tummy clockwise.

For constipation, give lori Vaseline oil (1 teaspoon). If there is still no stool, you should contact a specialist. He will tell you exactly what to do to make the loris lemur recover.

How to care for an animal's fur? Many people do not know the answer to this question, and this is very bad. Since these animals, like cats, lick themselves, hair can get into the digestive tract, as a result of which the normal functioning of the stomach is disrupted. To remove it, you need to give your pet the drug “Kittimalt” 1/3 teaspoon once a week.

An unbalanced diet is the cause of many metabolic diseases, for example, urolithiasis, obesity or, conversely, exhaustion, rickets. Lorises are also very susceptible to colds. Such diseases begin in these animals with sneezing and nasal discharge. As soon as you see the first signs, take action immediately, otherwise a common cold can turn into pneumonia.

Otitis is often found in such animals. A sick loris behaves restlessly, does not allow its ear to be touched, and refuses to feed. After a while, discharge from the ear appears. At the first suspicion of otitis media, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Just what the doctor ordered

• Published in Health
• Author Vladimir
• Comments (12)
• Rate the material

The search for an intelligent veterinarian with experience in treating loris led me to Ilya Timerin. And the reason for calling a doctor to the house was Amma’s general weakness, sedentary lifestyle and longer sleep than her companion Martin. The second problem is an oval-shaped bald area in the abdomen.

Amma is a slow loris. Age – approximately 4.5 months. Weight – 400 grams. She moved in with us on July 13, 2014, and had lived with us for one week at the time of her visit to the doctor.

Ilya performed an external examination, listened, palpated the tummy, examined the stool, looked into the eyes and mouth. In general, the doctor was pleased with his state of health, and was especially pleased with his beautiful snow-white teeth and clear eyes. Ilya expressed confidence that his tummy would soon be overgrown with the same thick, beautiful fur that was already present on his entire body. The reason for the formation of baldness and general weakness was most likely the poor keeping in cramped conditions by the previous owner (a Thai septic tank). Based on all of the above, comprehensive treatment was prescribed and appropriate medications were prescribed.

Since the health problems we have with loris are quite typical, I decided to publish the treatment regimen proposed by Dr. Timerin. Perhaps this will be useful to someone:

Reproduction

Lory lemurs are very selective in terms of family building. They are not able to accept every relative as a breeding partner. If there is no suitable candidate nearby, the animal will prefer to remain alone than to form an alliance with just anyone.

Pregnancy, depending on the type, lasts 4-6 months. Most often, one individual is born, but there are also twins. Newborn lemurs are firmly attached to the thick fur on the mother’s belly, next to the mammary glands. They live like this for 3-5 months.

Animals become independent at the age of 8-10 months, and by the age of one and a half years they acquire sexual maturity.

Lorises do not reproduce very actively even in nature, not to mention home breeding. Although now there are people who build a business on such animals. The duration of pregnancy in a female is a little more than six months. After the babies are born, the mother lemur feeds them milk for another five months. Loris can be sold no earlier than when they are ten months old - until this period, the cubs must be with their mother.

Life expectancy of lemurs in captivity

Today, lemurs are increasingly found outside the wild. We are not even talking about zoos; some species of these animals are desirable as pets, for example, the famous loris lemur.

Of course, in captivity, lemurs are able to live longer than the statistical average; their life expectancy often approaches the upper mark (20 years) and even exceeds it. This is explained simply:

• in a zoo or at home with a loving owner, lemurs are provided with full care, they are regularly examined by veterinarians, vitamin complexes are introduced into their diet, etc.;
• life in captivity is devoid of dangers;
• there is constant access to the most desirable and suitable food.

FAQ

• Can loris swim? No, he can't. This is an arboreal animal, so avoid such experiments.
• How long does the lemur loris live? In captivity, under good conditions, these animals can live up to 25 years.
• Do I need to trim my nails? No no need. Their claws look like children's depressed nails, that is, they do not exist as such, which means there is nothing to cut.
• What vaccinations do these animals receive? None. Vaccination against loris rabies is prohibited. The only thing that needs to be done is deworming every six months, and even then it is better to do a stool test to detect the presence of worms. If they are not there, then you should not once again poison the animal’s body with drugs.
• Is the lemur loris smart? Yes, he knows where his bowl, house, etc. are, but he doesn’t play ball or follow any commands. This animal loves to ride on vines and climb branches.
• Is there a smell from loris? No, the excrement of this animal does not stink, nor does the animal itself.
• Is it possible to change his lifestyle? No you can not. Night mode is an instinctive behavior that, of course, cannot be eliminated. You can only move it slightly if you place the cage with the animal in a dark corner of the apartment.

Interaction with animals in the house

If there are other pets in the house, then it is better not to let the lemur out of the cage for an independent walk. A little-known fact about the Loris lemur is that this animal can use poison when attacking its prey. The lemur Lori has a so-called brachial gland on the ventral surface of the elbow. When frightened, the animal secretes poison using this gland. Fat Lorises have needle-sharp teeth on the lower jaw. Given the constant habit of licking the brachial gland, it is not surprising that sharp teeth and brachial gland secretions are involved in poisoning an unsuspecting victim. Therefore, if bitten, the victim may be subject to anaphylactic shock, which can have fatal consequences for other pets and extremely negative consequences for children.

Possible diseases

The primate's body is similar in structure to that of humans, and is therefore susceptible to the same diseases. The lemur loris is vulnerable to hepatitis, herpes, tuberculosis and measles. In this regard, it is important to carry out timely vaccination of pets.

Most often, Loriids experience the following health problems:

1. 1. Diabetes mellitus. Abuse of sweet foods and treats is the cause of diabetes. Without proper treatment, the animal quickly withers and dies.
2. 2. Gastrointestinal disorders. Intestinal problems are especially dangerous for lemurs, since there is a risk of rupture of thin walls. Lorises, like cats, love to lick their fur. A paste for dissolving hair (“Kittimalt” is the most affordable on the market) will help prevent indigestion and blockage of the tract with hairballs. The product must be given once a week. Serving size is a third of a teaspoon.
3. 3. Colds. Even a slight decrease in temperature or a slight draft leads to the development of a cold. To prevent this process, it is important to change the bedding in the animal’s house daily and dry it at the bottom of the cage - dampness provokes freezing. When you notice the first symptoms (nasal runny and sneezing), it is important to contact your veterinarian. Inaction is fraught with complications such as pneumonia.
4. 4. Otitis. A type of cold. The animal shows anxiety, eats poorly, and protects its ears from touch. Later, discharge from the ears may occur.
5. 5. Tartar. When fed exclusively soft food, plaque settles on the teeth of lemurs, which then turns into tartar. This is followed by partial or complete loss of teeth. As a result, the pet cannot eat anything and weakens from nutritional deficiency.
6. 6. Stress. Severe stress caused by a change in environment, poor nutrition or care affects the pet’s immunity and makes it vulnerable to new diseases.

If loris behave unkindly, raise their paws up, bite - something makes them nervous. With such gestures they protect themselves from potential danger.

In case of any deviations from the norm of behavior, loss of appetite, detection of discharge on mucous membranes, ulcers and small wounds, baldness, etc., it is important to immediately contact a veterinarian. Only a qualified doctor will be able to identify the causes of your pet’s illness and provide assistance.

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

Taking lemurs from their natural environment is prohibited, so when purchasing this type of animal, be sure to check the documents (the animal you choose must be born and raised in captivity - only then is it legal). In addition, lemurs are carriers of infectious diseases dangerous to humans: documents confirming that they have passed veterinary control when crossing the border will help protect your health and the health of your family.

Today you can buy this animal in special pet stores or from individuals involved in breeding this species both in their own country and abroad. The price of a domestic lemur ranges from 60-100 thousand rubles or 25-55 thousand hryvnia. It is also worth noting that if you want to have several lemurs for breeding, this is very difficult to achieve at home. Well, if it’s just so that your friend doesn’t get bored in your absence, then keep in mind that conflicts can arise between these animals, like other primates. Make sure that the housing for the animals is built in several tiers or floors, with the obligatory presence of a separate shelter on each one. This will help avoid fights and civil strife, as well as injuries inflicted on each other.

How much does a lemur cost?

Reproduction of lemurs in captivity is difficult. Breeding them is a difficult task. In addition, these animals are listed in the Red Book. Therefore, their price is high. On average, in the Russian Federation, such an animal can be bought for 50-100 thousand rubles.

• A ring-tailed lemur will cost 40,000-60,000 rubles.
• The cost of the lemur Lori varies from 80,000 to 100,000 rubles.
• A mouse lemur will cost no less than 100,000 rubles.

A domestic loris will cost you 70-90 thousand rubles. Where to buy a loris lemur? It is best to purchase an animal from breeders who have been breeding such exotic animals for a long time. So the risk of buying a sick animal is close to zero. Very often, by the way, such animals are caught by poachers, so when purchasing, check all documents for loris. Let us also note the fact that the lemur business, as you understand, is quite profitable.

Thanks to conservation efforts and attempts to save many endangered species from complete destruction, lemurs are very difficult to buy. Poaching is prosecuted by law, and there are very few lemur babies born in captivity.

The price ranges from 60 to 100,000 rubles. When purchasing, you must check all documents certifying that the domestic lemur was not smuggled. This is very important not only because this is a crime that is prosecuted by law, but also because of possible diseases that can be dangerous to humans if the animal was removed from its natural habitat and did not undergo veterinary control when crossing the border.

When deciding to buy a lemur, remember that taking lemurs from the wild is illegal, so first make sure that the lemur you choose was born and raised in captivity. The cost of lemurs is the price of the animal's freedom. Therefore, think, maybe it’s better to take a stray dog ​​or cat from the street or a shelter in need of your love and care, which was tamed by man 5500 years ago and can become true friends, than to deprive an innocent and such a beautiful animal like a lemur, which was not born to live, from its freedom in a cage. With his disappearance, the Earth will not stop, but there will be no one very important on it.

VIDEO: ALL ABOUT THE RING-TAILED LEMURE

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL SEE WHAT RING-TAILED LEMURS LOOK LIKE AND YOU WILL FIND OUT A LOT OF INTERESTING AND USEFUL

If you want to have an exotic animal at home, but have not yet decided which one, take a closer look at the tiny and cute lemur. Of all the exotic animals offered, he is the most unusual, and it is still difficult to see him in urban areas. A man's too much love brought him almost to the brink of death.

If you decide to become the owner of a pet lemur, get to know the conditions under which it is kept, and most importantly, learn how to choose it correctly in order to make your contribution to protecting the Earth.

Advantages and disadvantages

The only positive qualities of the loris lemur include the interest of keeping an exotic animal in the house, the opportunity to stand out and be known as an extraordinary and courageous person.
We suggest you read: How to stop a cat from tearing furniture and wallpaper: what to do, how to protect it, not tear it, how to decorate the walls so that the cat doesn’t tear it

Features of life in nature

In their usual habitat, lemurs feed on fruits, small fish and birds. But the basis of its diet in the wild is insects.

We suggest you read: How to choose a muzzle for a dog and not make a mistake

Butterflies, flies, beetles are a natural source of protein for the animal. Do not discourage your pet from eating caterpillars, lizards and spiders.

Advice! Don't exclude insects from your diet. Take the loris for a walk in the summer: for him this is not only an opportunity to hunt, but also entertainment. If possible, freeze butterflies and caterpillars to feed the animal in winter.

Conclusion

Our summary: it’s better to get an animal designed to live at home, side by side with a person.

Is it really better to tear his wild creation away from mother nature than to take a puppy or kitten from the street, so eager to find its owner?

Lemur

is a mammal belonging to the class of monkeys.
The ancient Greeks called lemurs
ghosts that roam the night.
The inhabitants of the island of Madagascar called the lemurs
that way because they had large eyes, and, according to the inhabitants, they caused horror.
Where do lemurs live and how to keep such an animal at home?
After all, just recently, they became pets. This is what we will talk to you about, and let’s start with interesting facts.

Ring-tailed lemur interesting facts

Lemur

one of the main characters of the cartoon "Madagascar"

Lemur

susceptible to gastrointestinal diseases and allergies

Residents of the island of Madagascar are still afraid of lemurs

As a reward for cleaning the fur, the female may offer to mate.

Ring-tailed lemur habitat

Ring-tailed lemur

became the most recognizable among the representatives of lemurs, which quickly won our hearts.
Its body length
is 39-46 cm,
tail length
56-63,
weight
2-3.5 kg.
Its tail
is painted with circular patterns of black on white in a spiral pattern.
The lemur
has a long body with a small and dense head, and a pointed and elongated muzzle.
The lemur's eyes
are close-set and huge in size, and the expression resembles fear or surprise.
Lemur eye colors
are yellow, brown-yellow and orange-red, only one representative has blue eyes (black lemur).
The lower teeth of the lemur
form a comb, the upper ones are widely spaced.

The animal has five toes and long claws
on its paws The claws on the hind legs are necessary for combing the fur, and the front ones are for food. The lemur
has rather thick

gray-brown
fur The lifespan of a lemur
is on average 20 years, but some individuals can live 34-37 years!

Where does the ring-tailed lemur live?

Of course, from the cartoon Madagascar we know that it inhabits

island of Madagascar.
Where else does he live? The ring-tailed lemur
can be found in the southeast of Morondava, near the Andringitra mountain range, Ambalavao, Taolanyaro.
They live in groups of 20-30 lemurs
in forest areas and live in trees.