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Allocebus trichotis (Günther, 1875)

Scientific name: 
Scientist name: 
(Günther, 1875)
Malagasy: 
Tsidiala, Antsidy Mavo
English: 
Hairy-eared Dwarf Lemur
German: 
Büschelohrmaki, Büschelohriger Mausmaki
Other english: 
Hairy-eared Mouse Lemur
French: 
Allocèbe; Cheirogale à oreilles poilues, Cheirogale à oreilles velues
Taxa: 

Species

Identification

Allocebus trichotis is superficially very similar to the mouse lemurs (Microcebus). It has a head-body length of 13–16 cm, a tail length of 14–20 cm, a total length of 27–36 cm, and a body weight of 65–90 g (Meier and Albignac, 1991; Biebouw, 2009). The most obvious external character is the long tufted hair around the ears. The dorsal coat is a rosy brownish-gray and the ventral coat is light gray. The long tail is the same color as the body, becoming darker and bushier at its end. Dark rings surround the eyes, and there is sometimes a pale white stripe that extends between the eyes and the tip of the nose.
This lemur is comparable in size to Microcebus and smaller than Cheirogaleus. Distinguishing this small animal from eastern Microcebus in the field can be quite difficult, unless one is close enough to get a good look at the ear tufts or actually has the animal in hand.