As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Call: Northern huge mouse lemur (Mirza zaza
Where it lives: Northern Madagascar
What it consumes: Fruits, flowers, nectar, tree sap and little pests
Why it’s incredible: Northern huge mouse lemurs might be small, however they have a striking characteristic: incredibly big testicles. The primates just weigh around 10 ounces (300 grams), however they have the biggest testes-to-body ratio of all primates — with their testicles comprising around 5% of their body weight.
These nighttime lemurs, which are belonging to the forests of the Ampasindava peninsula in northwestern Madagascar, are around 10 inches (25 centimeters) long, omitting their tails.
Just found in 2005they have big, round, reflective eyes that allow them to see in low light. Their long, fluffy tails assist them stabilize as they leap through the trees, and their big, thin ears assist them listen out for predators.
It’s their uncommonly big testicles that make them stand out from the crowd.
Get the world’s most interesting discoveries provided directly to your inbox.
If human beings had a comparable ratio, their testicles would be the size of grapefruits, according to New ScientistThese animals’ testicles are so big that typically, lemurs will bump and swelling their testicles as they leap and swing in between tree branches– which is a regrettable effect of their physical qualities.
The factor these lemurs have such big testicles is due to the fact that they have a polygynandrous breeding system, suggesting both males and women have numerous partners. As the males deal with extreme competitors to fertilize women, they progressed bigger testes to produce more sperm. Greater quantities of sperm suggests they can produce bigger ejaculations and mate more often.
Unlike numerous other lemur types, northern huge mouse lemurs do not have particular breeding seasonsso they recreate throughout the year. Scientists believe this is due to the fact that nutrient-rich foods are continuously readily available. As an outcome, their testicles remain big throughout the year.
When women are all set to mate, they discharge calls to bring in males. They bring to life one offspring after about 3 months, however due to the fact that they mate year-round, they can have 2 or 3 babies in a year. Women are the sole care service providers for the young, and the offspring reach maturity at around 1 years of age.
Northern huge mouse lemurs construct nests high in the trees to safeguard themselves from predators and severe ecological conditions, such as monsoons. They form common sleeping nests that can house approximately 8 lemurs, consisting of numerous males and lemurs of various ages, which is an unusual social habits. It’s not understood precisely why they do this, however it might be to assist them keep warm throughout the chillier months and for that reason save their energy.
Lydia Smith is a health and science reporter who works for U.K. and U.S. publications. She is studying for an MSc in psychology at the University of Glasgow and has an MA in English literature from King’s College London.
Find out more
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
