Lemur
/ˈliːmər/
Definitions
A primate found only on Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, known for their large eyes, nocturnal habits, and varied diet.
/ˈliːmər/
A primate of the family Lemuridae, native to Madagascar and the Comoro Islands.
The ring-tailed lemur is one of the most recognizable species.
💡 Simply: Imagine a cute, big-eyed animal, a bit like a monkey, that only lives on an island called Madagascar. They're active mostly at night, like little night owls, so they have big eyes to see well in the dark!
👶 For kids: A lemur is a kind of animal that looks like a monkey, but it lives on an island called Madagascar. It has big eyes and likes to come out at night.
More Examples
Scientists are studying the behavior of lemurs in their natural habitat.
The zoo has a special enclosure dedicated to lemurs.
How It's Used
"The naturalist observed a group of lemurs foraging in the forest canopy."
"Conservation efforts are crucial to protect endangered lemur species."
From Latin *lemures*, meaning 'spirits of the dead' or 'ghosts'. Named for their nocturnal habits and often eerie appearance. The term was adopted by Carl Linnaeus in his classification of primates.
Used in scientific literature since the 18th century to describe primates, with early usage reflecting the mystical associations implied by the Latin root.
Memory tip
Think of a sleepy, ghost-like creature – the 'lemur' – with big eyes that is active at night, similar to spirits of the dead.