News in Brief Animals

Climate change may threaten these bamboo-eating lemurs

Madagascar’s history holds warning for the already critically endangered species

lemurs

OTHER BAMBOO SPECIALIST  A greater bamboo lemur, the only mammal besides the giant panda to depend on nutrient-poor, yellowing bamboo stems during dry seasons (left), could suffer more as the climate changes. More nutritious, tender bamboo (right) can feed even a baby lemur.

All: Jukka Jernvall

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

The only lemurs so dependent on bamboo that they gnaw on hardened, nutrient-poor stems during the dry season might dwindle away as those seasons grow longer.