Verreaux’s sifaka

Verreaux's sifaka (P. verreauxi) is one of nine species of leaping lemurs belonging to the genus Propithecus. These primates are native to Madagascar and are characterized by their arboreal lifestyle, living in forests. Sifakas are roughly one meter long, with about half of that length being their tail. They possess small heads, large eyes, and large ears, often concealed by their long, silky fur. Their coloration typically includes white with darker markings, though this varies by species.

Sifakas are diurnal vegetarians and live in small family groups where females are dominant. They are known for their remarkable leaping ability, capable of covering distances of 9 to 10 meters between trees. They cling vertically to tree trunks and sit in forked branches. After a gestation period of about five months, typically one young is born. Verreaux's sifaka is distinguished by its white fur with dark shoulders and sides, and sometimes a dark crown cap.1