Sifaka are so named because of their loud "Si-fakk!" call. They are a bautiful primate, with their white fur, dark masks and caps and more monkey-like faces then the quadrepedal lemur species.

Sifaka are a diurnal species and they have a strange society for a primate, living in small groups with a standing hierachal order. That is, until breeding season rolls around! Then the mature males search other groups of Sifaka for eligible females, spending as much time out of their group as in it! The reasons for this behaviour are probably due to genetic variability and producing more capable offspring.

The young are born singly in the middle of the dry season, the Sifaka living in the dry areas, and are carried on their mother's bellies for three months, they then switch to riding on her back and eventually leaping along beside.

Unlike the True Lemurs, Sifaka cannot walk on all fours, their arms not being long enough for their legs, and so they must travel on ground by making enormous leaps, both vertically and horizontally. Here it uses its tail for balance and looks amazingly graceful.

Sifaka are sociable creatures and they using mutual grooming to maintain bonds within the Troop. On occasion, they will become so over enthusiastic in the grooming that they end up wrestling with each other for fun. This behaviour is common in primates, but less common in other orders, where adults are involved.

Like all lemurs, Sifaka like nothing better then to relax in the sun!

Further Viewings:
"Dinosaur" the Disney movie, yep, the lemurs in that are Sifaka, if you don't believe me, check out the way they move!