Patas maki (SciiFii)

The patas maki (Geolemur maki), also known as the long-tailed ground lemur, the Malagasy patas lemur, and the Madagascar patas lemur, is a species of lemur that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the forests and open woodlands across Madagascar to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the patas maki is the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). The patas maki lives in multi-female groups of up to 60 individuals. The group contains just one adult male for most of the year. During the breeding season, there are multi-male influxes into the group. Once juvenile males reach sexual maturity (around the age of four years) they leave the group, usually joining all-male groups. The adult females in the group initiate movement of the group with the male following their lead. The patas maki feeds on insects, gum, seeds, and tubers, a diet more characteristic of much smaller primates. Patas makis have several distinct alarm calls that warn members in the group of predators. Different alarm calls are given by different group members (i.e. adult females, adult males, juveniles, etc.) and certain alarm calls are distinctive of different types of predators. Unlike many other primates, patas makis rarely take refuge from predators in trees. This is due to the relatively sparse tree cover in patas maki habitats. While patas makis usually run on the ground away from predators, individuals have been observed to attack predators such as fossas, civets, and feral cats. This behavior has been observed in both males and females. The conservation status of the patas lemur is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the patas lemur's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.