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Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) is a diurnal, medium-sized lemur of the sifaka genus Propithecus. It is native to northwest Madagascar. Coquerel's sifaka was once considered to be a subspecies of Verreaux's sifaka, but was eventually granted full species level, and is listed as endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
An adult Coquerel's sifaka is about 20 inches from head to rump, plus another 16 to 24 inches for the tail. They are vertical clingers and leapers. They bounce and jump along the ground on their back legs, a locomotion style unique in the mammal world. Sifakas eat mostly plants – leaves are their favorite food.
To make up for their short arms, sifakas have long, strong legs that can propel them up to 35 ft (10.5 m) in a single leap. Diet. The Coquerel’s sifaka diet changes with the seasons. In the wet season, sifakas feast from a variety of young leaves and fruit, plus tree bark, flowers, and nectar.
IUCN maps of the Coquerel’s sifaka geographic range in Madagascar stemming from the previous assessment (left) and the current assessment (right). And yet, forest loss alone doesn’t seem sufficient to explain why sifakas (and other indriids) are so exceptionally endangered.
Coquerel’s sifakas ( Propithecus coquereli) are endemic to Madagascar. This species resides in dry deciduous forests found to the north and east of the Betsiboka River. It has been reported as far north as Bealanana, as far south as Ambato-Boeni, and to the east in the vicinity of Antetemasy.
Coquerel’s Sifaka. Scientific Name: Propethicus Coquereli. Conservation Status: Critically Endangered IUCN Red List. About. Sifakas move through the trees leaping 20 to 30 feet in a single jump. Preferring to remain high in the tree canopy, they descend to the ground only occasionally.
Coquerel’s Sifaka. When a sifaka feels threatened, it warns others by shrieking “shee-fauk!” Quick Facts. RANGE. Northwestern Madagascar. STATUS. Critically Endangered. DIET. Herbivore - Leaves, flowers, bark, fruit. ACTIVE. Diurnal. LIFESPAN. About 11 years. OFFSPRING. Single young per birth. LENGTH. 9‑22 in (70‑100 cm) WEIGHT. 4‑9 lbs.
