THICK- TAILED LEMUR 17 



With regard to geographical range, this is still in doubt. 

 As I have recently received the skin of a fine male shot 

 on the Kafue Flats in Northern Ehodesia by Dr. A. A. 

 Schoch, the range of the species seems fairly wide. 



Family LEMUEID^. 



In the more modern classification the Lemurs are 

 relegated to a separate order, the Prosimise (Lemuroidea). 

 They are usually nocturnal animals, covered with fur. 



Their home is in the Island of Madagascar, but several 

 species are found in South Africa. These are charac- 

 terized by their large, rounded, and nearly naked ears, 

 which are capable of being folded at will. The eyes are 

 large, and the tail is thick and bushy. The fingers and 

 ■toes are supplied with flat nails, with the exception of 

 the second toe of the hind limb, which has a distinct claw. 



Otolemur crassicaudatns. Thick-tailed Lemur. Bosch Aap. 



To the Natal Colonist it is known as the " Bushbaby," 

 a name also applied in the Transvaal to the Night Ape 

 or Moholi Lemur. The Zulus call it the " Sukwe." 



The colour is a yellowish to slaty grey, the hair being 

 soft and thick. The ears, hands and feet are nearly 

 black. The chin and underparts are yellowish-white. 

 The tail, which is thick and bushy, is about a foot long. 

 The total length of the head and body is only 14 inches. 

 Teeth, 36 in number. 



This animal is found in Natal, Zululand, and the more 

 thickly wooded portions of the Eastern Transvaal. The 

 National Zoological Gardens possesses an example from 

 near Lydenburg. This species was also procured in the 

 Gorongoza Forest of Portuguese South-Bast Africa by 

 2 



