What Are the 8 Species of Mouse Lemurs?

Mouse lemurs are the smallest primate species in the world. As of June 2011, only eight species of mouse lemur are confirmed. Several others have been described by science but are not accepted full species. The small primates are only found living in the forests of Madagascar. Science is still learning about mouse lemurs, and research is ongoing to confirm more distinct species.

  1. Berthe's Mouse Lemur

    • Berthe's mouse lemur grows to 3.6 inches in length, on average, and up to 2.2 ounces in weight. It has reddish colored fur which is brightest in color on the head. It lives in a small area halfway down Madagascar's west coast.

    Red and Gray Mouse Lemur

    • The red and gray mouse lemur grows to 4.8 inches in length, on average, and up to 2.2 ounces in weight. It has a gray back with a cinnamon-colored stripe along it and a reddish head. It lives in a wide range along the southwest coast.

    Gray Mouse Lemur

    • The gray mouse lemur grows to 5.1 inches in length and weighs up to 2.3 ounces. It is gray-brown in color, with a darker stripe along the back and a beige stomach. It lives widely along the west coast and a small area of the southeast.

    Peters's Mouse Lemur

    • Peters's mouse lemur grows to 4.8 inches in length and up to 1.7 ounces, on average. It has a reddish-brown head and body with a darker line along the spine. It lives in small populations halfway along the west coast and far northwest.

    Ravelobe Mouse Lemur

    • The ravelobe mouse lemur grows to 5 inches in length and up to 2.5 ounces in weight. It has a golden brown back, sometimes mottled with a yellow stripe along the spine, and a pale belly. It lives in small ranges inland in the north of the island.

    Brown Mouse Lemur

    • The brown mouse lemur grows to 3.4 inches and weighs up to 1.5 ounces, on average. It has a grayish brown fur with a black stripe, reddish arms and pale gray belly. It lives along the east coast of the island ranging deep inland.

    Sambirano Mouse Lemur

    • The Sambirano mouse lemur grows to 4.6 inches long and up to 1.6 ounces in weight. It is reddish-brown in color with a faint slightly darker line along the back and a pale stomach. It is found only in a small area of the northwest of the island.

    Northern Rufous Mouse Lemur

    • The northern rufous mouse lemur grows to 5 inches in length and up to 2.2 ounces in weight. It has a dark brown back with a red head and pale beige stomach. It lives in a small range in the most extreme northern area of the island.