I'm just chilling, man: Lemur takes a break from foraging to relax and meditate

By LAWRENCE CONWAY

Drop out: This lemur takes time out from monkeying around to meditate and relax

The 60s' hippy counter culture message 'turn on, tune in, drop out' seems to have finally reached the lemur community.
Sociable lemurs usually spent their time scurrying around, both during the night and day, in packs of 15 hunting for insects and keeping an eye for predators.
But this monkey seems to have taken on the counterculture phrase first popularised by hippy guru Timothy Leary in 1967.
The animal was photographed on a woodland path, sat upright on its rear with legs crossed and palms facing upwards in a traditional meditation pose.
The startling images were captured by Belgian born amateur photographer Sebastian Degardin, 32, who now lives in Finchley, north London.

Unusual: While the other lemurs carry on with their daily activities their meditating friend seems oblivious

Mr Degardin, a software developer, spotted the unusual lemur while on holiday at a nature park in Mons, Belgium.
He was able to capture the bizarre scene of the monkey was carrying out its private search for enlightenment on film.
The spaced out money, which originates from the far flung African island Madagascar, was unconcerned by Mr Degardin taking his picture.
He said: 'I was gobsmacked when I saw this lemur meditating. I'd only gone to the nature reserve as part of my holiday.

Chill: The meditating lemur's eye lids seem to droop as it assumes a relaxed pose and meditates

'But when I spotted the lemur pulling this pose, I knew I had to capture the image. Thankfully I had my camera on me, otherwise the world would never have seen this animals funny human like behavior.'
'He was sat on top of this big wooden house that all the lemurs sleep in. It looked like he was the leader of the lemur pack.
'No matter how close I got he didn’t stop. He didn’t even look up as I moved in for a close up - he was so spaced out.

Spaced: The lemur seemed happy to continue relaxing while the rest of the pack scurried around

'After a while some other lemurs came along and began sniffing around. They were probably just as perplexed as we were.
'I stayed around for a while to monitor this particular ones behavior and got some great shots. But after a while they all turned on me and began jumping all over me.'


Lost: The little crossed leg lemur seemed lost in its own thoughts while life carried on around it

source: dailymail

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Halloween time, Zoo staff are feeding the animals pumpkin in addition to their regular daily diet

ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 30: A lemur eats pumpkin at the Rome Bioparco during lunch time on October 30, 2011 in Rome, Italy. As it is Halloween time, Zoo staff are feeding the animals pumpkin in addition to their regular daily diet to increase the number of visitors to the bioparco for the occasion.



ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 30: A lemur eats pumpkin at the Rome Bioparco during lunch time on October 30, 2011 in Rome, Italy. As it is Halloween time, Zoo staff are feeding the animals pumpkin in addition to their regular daily diet to increase the number of visitors to the bioparco for the occasion.



ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 30: A lemur eats pumpkin at the Rome Bioparco during lunch time on October 30, 2011 in Rome, Italy. As it is Halloween time, Zoo staff are feeding the animals pumpkin in addition to their regular daily diet to increase the number of visitors to the bioparco for the occasion.



ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 30: A chimpanzee begs for food during lunch time at the Rome Bioparco on October 30, 2011 in Rome, Italy. As it is Halloween time, Zoo staff are feeding the animals pumpkin in addition to their regular daily diet to increase the number of visitors to the bioparco for the occasion.



ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 30: A chimpanzee eats pumpkin at the Rome Bioparco during lunch time on October 30, 2011 in Rome, Italy. As it is Halloween time, Zoo staff are feeding the animals pumpkin in addition to their regular daily diet to increase the number of visitors to the bioparco for the occasion.



source: daylife

photo: Gettyimages

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Sleeping like a log: The seven lemurs catching up on their beauty sleep in huddle at zoo

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Lemur alone - I'm trying to sleep! These sleeping lemurs were photographed at Colchester Zoo in Essex by public transport manager Jonathan Chown as he visited on a birthday treat

This long line of seven ring-tailed lemurs sits on a log as they catch up on some sleep.

The furry friends made sure they got the maximum amount of warmth by huddling together and wrapping themselves in their black and white tails.

Public transport manager Jonathan Chown took the photograph while on a visit to the zoo to celebrate his birthday with his wife and son.

The 37-year-old stood and watched the animals for 10 minutes without seeing them move once.

Jonathan, from Milton Keynes, in Bucks, said: 'We were just strolling about looking at some of the exhibits and found these lemurs tucked away on a log.

'They sat there like statues and didn't move at all. They were all snoozing away and looked like a giant animal of some kind.

'It was quite a surreal sight - there were no other animals in the enclosure, they had all obviously decided to cozy up together.

'Thankfully, I take my camera wherever I go and happily snapped away - it looked like they had been glued together.'

Jonathan, who took the photos at Colchester Zoo, in Essex, added: 'We were really lucky to see something like this and made my birthday even better.'


source: dailymail

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A keeper feeds a ring-tailed lemur in his new enclosure at Taronga Zoo

A keeper feeds a ring-tailed lemur in his new enclosure at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, Friday, May 27, 2011. The bachelor group of five rare primates from Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo were opened to the public Friday.



A ring-tailed lemur plays in his new enclosure at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, Friday, May 27, 2011. The bachelor group of five rare primates from Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo were opened to the public Friday.



A ring-tailed lemur reacts as a keeper walks through his new enclosure at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, Friday, May 27, 2011. The bachelor group of five rare primates from Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo were opened to the public Friday.

source :daylife
photo: AP photo

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A two months-old ring-tailed lemur

A two months-old ring-tailed lemur feeds on grass on Friday, May 6, 2011, in the Zoo of Salzburg, Austria.




A two months-old ring-tailed lemur cub hangs to the fur of its mother on Friday, May 6, 2011, in the Zoo of Salzburg, Austria.



A 2 months-old ring-tailed lemur cub hangs on the fur of its mother on Friday, May 6, 2011, in the Zoo of Salzburg, Austria.

source: daylife

photo: AP photo

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A month-old ring tailed lemur, left, receives a lick from it's one-year-old

A month-old ring tailed lemur, left, receives a lick from it's one-year-old sister "Safina," right, in an exhibit at the Franklin Park Zoo, in Boston, Wednesday, April 27, 2011.



A month-old baby lemur, right, rides on her seven-year-old mother's back in an exhibit at the Franklin Park Zoo, in Boston, Wednesday, April 27, 2011.




Nebbie, a seven-year-old ring tailed lemur, left, carries her month-old baby on her back in an exhibit at the Franklin Park Zoo, in Boston, Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Nebbie gave birth to twins on March 31, 2011, but the baby primates have yet to receive names or have their sex determined. Lemurs, endemic to Madagascar, are social animals and live in female dominated groups in the wild.

source:daylife
photo: AP photo

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And the medal for turtle-jumping goes to... the fluffy ring-tailed lemur

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Shell shock: The lemurs assess the situation as the turtle blocks the bridge


What do you get when you cross a lemur with a turtle? A leap-frog.

These hungry jokers faced something of a dilemma when they encountered the slow-moving turtle blocking the bridge leading to their feeding den.

Each of the fluffy ring-tailed lemurs tentatively approached the turtle before turning back - unsure how to negotiate the obstacle.


High-tailing it: One of the lemurs gets up close as the turtle makes a U-turn to scare him away


Then, after gathering in a huddle to discuss their options, the one with the most courage broke away from the group and made a flying leap.

Following his brave lead, the others all followed - with the bemused turtle turning its neck to watch.

Local photographer Cindy Bendush, 52, snapped the 'mission' at Indianapolis Zoo in Indiana, United States.

She said: 'The lemur exhibit contains about a dozen lemurs, a variety of birds and a few turtles. It is one of the most entertaining exhibits at the zoo.


Over the top: The lemur shows his courage and decides to make the jump


'The turtle was blocking the bridge that leads to the lemurs' indoor habitat. I started taking shots and within minutes one of the lemurs strolled about half way out towards the turtle, stopped and turned around.

'Upon returning to the island, a group of five or six began to gather. They seemed to be having a debate about how to handle the turtle and whether or not to cross the bridge.


High flyer: That wasn't so bad after all as the lemur prepares to land


'Singly or in a small group they ventured out and back several times before one of them decided to jump. Once one started jumping, several others joined in.

'The lemurs certainly did not want to touch the turtle and not one harassed it in the least.

'They were wary but possibly making a game of it. I doubt this was the first time the turtles and lemurs have squared-off.



In fact he quite enjoyed it... and jumped back the other way


'They were still jumping back and forth when we left - Mr Turtle stood his ground.'

Cindy added: 'It was entertaining - even comical - to watch them problem solve and go about working up the courage to start jumping as a means to cross the bridge.

'It was almost as if they were daring each other to make the first jump.'


source: dailymail

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Female ring-tailed lemur 'Susen'

Female ring-tailed lemur 'Susen' (R) enjoys fresh food as she carries her twin babies on her back on April 13, 2010 at the zoo in Dresden, eastern Germany.

The still nameless lemurs were born on March 17, 2010 at the zoo. Lemurs are endemic to the island of Madagascar.


source: Daylife
photo: Gettyimages

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a ring-tailed lemur sits at the table during its Thanksgiving feast

In this photo provided by the San Francisco Zoo, a ring-tailed lemur sits at the table during its Thanksgiving feast, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010, at the San Francisco Zoo, in San Francisco.

The "turkey" is made of omnivore chow with mashed bananas, while the platters consist of Madagascar green bean salad, sweet potato goulash, Sifaka (fruit) salad, and their beverage is cranberry juice with water.


source: Daylife
photo: AP photo

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We like to move it, move it - Dancing lemurs stage special tribute Madagascar's King Julien

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

We like to move it, move it: These Sifaka lemurs dance across their feeding ground in the Ifotaka forest of Madagascar


These lemurs have staged their own special tribute to King Julien XIII from the Disney film Madagascar with an extraordinary dance routine.

The moves are not just for entertainment though, this Sifaka lemur family uses the technique to travel around their territory in the Ifotaka forest of Madagascar, Africa.

It's a case of 'Strictly Run Dancing' for these animas, as the quickest way for them to avoid predators and reach their foraging grounds is to spring onto their hind legs and raise their arms to balance.


Nice moves: The 'dancing' is reminiscent of the dance moves by King Julien XIII from the Disney film Madagascar


These pictures show the lemurs 'dancing' across their feeding ground. Once settled in the trees Sifakas can then happily eat plants and enjoy the day while safely off the ground.

One of the pictures shows a lemur pirouetting just like a ballet dancer while another looks like it's pulling of a disco move just like John Travolta in 70s blockbuster Saturday Night Fever.

A third shows how a female is even able to prance as a tiny baby clings to her.


Travelling in style: The dance moves are actually the best way for the animals to move quickly and avoid predators


British wildlife photographers Matt Burrard-Lucas, 21 and brother Will, 27, both from London, who captured these amazing shots, had to wait a year to gain access to the Sifaka's territory due to political instability in the region.

'The political situation in Madagascar has been unstable so we were prevented from travelling to the country,' Will said.

'But when we got there we enjoyed the sights of the Sifaka lemurs.



Inspiration: King Julien XIII who featured in Disney funny film Madagascar showing off his own moves


'Once we arrived we spent several weeks with the Sifakas, learning their behaviour and letting them get used to us.

'They were very amusing to work with, extremely playful and unpredictable.'
The Sifaka's name comes from their distinctive call that sounds like 'shafik'.

Living throughout the forests of Madagascar and are unique to the island, they are highly social and live in troops of up to 40 individuals, but are threatened by increased human encroachment into their feeding grounds.


source :dailymail

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