Sifaka

Madagascar · lemur · endangered · amazing jumpers

Master jumpers. Sifakas can leap up to 30 feet through the trees, pushing off with their powerful back legs. They move through forests so gracefully that local people call them the "dancers of the trees."

Named after their call. The word "sifaka" comes directly from the "shi-fak" alarm call these lemurs make when they spot danger. It's like their own built-in name tag that tells other sifakas to watch out.

Only in Madagascar. Sifakas live nowhere else on Earth except Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa. This makes them super special but also means they're at risk if their island home gets damaged.

Running out of space. All sifaka species are endangered or critically endangered because their forest homes are disappearing. Scientists are working hard to protect them before it's too late.

Family groups. Sifakas live together in small family groups of about 6 to 30 lemurs, and the females are the leaders who make decisions for the group.