Feeding Behavior of Lemur Catta Females in Relation to Their Physiological State

Abstract

For Lemur catta at Berenty Reserve in southern Madagascar, birth corresponds to the early wet season, lactation to the wet season, estrus to the early dry season, and gestation to the dry season, with marked differences in food available to females in each physiological state. Feeding behavior, food availability and palatability were compared in two L. catta troops living in different parts of the reserve over a 20-month period. Troop H’s territory included many introduced tree species and access to tounsts’ bananas. Troop F lived in natural gallery forest far from the tourist circuit. Troop H ate more food items, from more species, was predominantly folivorous throughout the year and showed less change in diet and activity from season to season. Troop F ate less, from fewer plant species, reduced both activity and dietary diversity markedly in the dry season and was seasonally more fntgivorous than folivorous. Activity, dietary selectivity, and “snacking” during the birth season may function to maximize energy gain. There are indications of need to balance dietary components, but quantity of foodstuffs may be more important to this adaptable species. Troop F’s more limited natural diet did not translate into lower reproductive success because it increased by 50%, while Troop H increased by 17% in size.