Leapin’ Lemur!
There are three types of primates — apes, monkeys and prosimians. Creatures of Creation Ministries is blessed to have representatives from all three types of primates. “Maddy”, a black and white ruffed lemur, is COC’s ambassador from the prosimian group. This type of lemur (formally known as varecia variegate) is the largest of the true lemurs.
Lemurs are purely herbivorous with a diet consisting of fruit, vegetables and leaves. They get most of their water metabolically through the consumption of these vegetarian foods. They typically have a lifespan of 15-20 years in the wild and weigh up to 10 pounds at full maturity. Unfortunately, due to deforestation, they have become critically endangered.
Lemurs are mainly arboreal (tree dwelling) and are typically seen forging through the canopies of Madagascar’s eastern rainforest, rarely coming down to the forest floor. The lemur has a unique grooming tooth on the bottom of its jaw which is very similar to a hair pick. This grooming tooth is essentially several teeth fused together. It is used in conjunction with its two grooming claws on its hind “feet,” which are really not feet at all. They are actually hands that help enable the lemur to jump up to 30 feet from tree to tree.
Another very noticeable characteristic of the lemur is its very impressive canines. Evolutionists mistakenly assume that these sharp teeth indicate that lemurs were once carnivorous. However, it is obvious from observing these animals in the wild that God designed these pointed canines to rip open hard-skinned fruits and vegetables.
It is interesting that lemurs cannot be found in any other part of the planet other than Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world. In fact, many of the animals on this island are exclusive to this rich jungle. Madagascar has a very impressive forest, lush and green with very unique flora and fauna, so it is known to be a land set apart from the rest of the world.
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