One of the largest, most spectacular, and most endangered lemurs in Madagascar—a true jewel of the island’s eastern rainforests. This lemur is known for its stunning appearance, athletic tree-leaping, and complex social life. It’s one of Madagascar’s most iconic primates and a vivid symbol of both the island’s natural beauty and its urgent conservation needs.

Diademed sifakas are covered in thick, silky fur that ranges in color from gray and silver on the limbs to golden-orange on the arms and legs, with a black face framed by that signature white “diadem” of fur on the head. No two look exactly alike, making them one of the most visually striking of all lemurs.

These sifakas are arboreal and diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and spend nearly all their time in the forest canopy. They are incredible leapers, capable of propelling themselves more than 10 meters (30 feet) between trees in a single bound, using their strong legs and long tail to stabilize mid-air. When they move on the ground—rarely—they do so in an upright, bouncing hop that looks almost like a slow-motion dance.

The diademed sifaka lives in family groups of up to 10 individuals and has a female-dominant social structure, which is common among lemurs. Group members groom each other, communicate through soft calls, grunts, and alarm barks, and maintain strong social bonds. They feed mostly on leaves, fruits, seeds, and flowers, and their foraging habits help disperse seeds, contributing to the health and regeneration of their rainforest habitat.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Madagascar

6,000 – 10,000

Official estimate

CR

2018