A sifaka (/sɪˈfɑːkə/; Malagasy pronunciation: [ˈsifakə̥]) is a type of lemur in the genus Propithecus, part of the family Indriidae, and belongs to the order Primates. The name "sifaka" comes from the sound of their alarm call, which sounds like "shi-fak." Like all lemurs, sifakas live only on the island of Madagascar. All sifaka species are in danger, with some classified as endangered and others as critically endangered.

Anatomy and physiology

Sifakas are medium-sized indriids with a head and body length of 40 to 55 cm (16 to 22 in) and a weight of 3 to 6 kg (6.6 to 13.2 lb). Their tail is the same length as their body, which helps tell them apart from the Indri. Their fur is long and silky, and its color can range from yellowish-white to blackish-brown depending on the species. Their round, hairless face is always black. Like all lemurs, sifakas have special tools for grooming, such as a toilet-claw on their second toe and a toothcomb.

Sifakas move by clinging to trees and leaping vertically, keeping an upright position as they jump from tree trunk to tree trunk and move along branches. They are skilled climbers and strong jumpers, capable of leaping up to 10 m (32.8 ft) between trees. On the ground, they move with sideways leaps using their hind legs, keeping their front limbs raised for balance. Sifakas are active during the day and live in trees.

Sifakas are herbivores, eating leaves, flowers, and fruits. When not searching for food, they spend time sunbathing, lying stretched out on branches. Sifakas live in larger groups than other indrids, with up to 13 animals in a group. They mark their territory with scent glands and may share territory edges with other sifakas. While they defend their territory from other sifakas, they can peacefully live near other lemur species, such as the red-bellied lemur and the common brown lemur. In some cases, invasions by other sifakas can lead to the death of male members, group takeovers, or infanticide.

Predators of the sifaka include the fossa, a puma-like mammal found in Madagascar, and birds of prey like hawks. Sifakas usually avoid attacks by moving quickly through trees high above the ground. However, they may bite or scratch to defend themselves and have been seen fighting off a Madagascar ground boa.

After a four- to five-month pregnancy, a single baby is born in July. The young clings to the mother’s belly when small and later rides on her back. They are weaned after about six months and reach full maturity at two to three years old. Sifakas can live up to 20 years.

Threats

Careful estimates indicate that using fire for activities such as slash-and-burn farming, raising cattle, logging, and mining has caused the loss of about 52% of forested land since the 1950s. This has affected the survival of sifakas. For example, Perrier's sifaka depends on large areas of forest to live, and few organizations are working to address these threats or the species' conservation status.

Classification

• Family Indriidae
• Genus Indri
• Genus Avahi
• Genus Propithecus
• Group P. diadema
• Diademed sifaka, P. diadema
• Milne-Edwards's sifaka, P. edwardsi
• Silky sifaka, P. candidus
• Perrier's sifaka, P. perrieri
• Group P. verreauxi
• Coquerel's sifaka, P. coquereli
• Verreaux's sifaka, P. verreauxi
• Von der Decken's sifaka, P. deckenii
• Crowned sifaka, P. coronatus
• Golden-crowned sifaka, P. tattersalli

• P. coquereli
• P. diadema
• P. candidus
• P. edwardsi