Diademed Sifaka (Propithecus diadema)

The diademed sifaka is one of the largest lemurs, with a lustrous, silky coat. These lemurs have long powerful legs and grasping hands and feet, which allow them to leap from one vertical trunk to another in their arboreal habitat. The species is currently thought to be composed of 4 distinct subspecies, each of which is very different in appearance (4). The diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema diadema) from which the species name is derived is one of the most attractive and largest of the sifakas. The coat is white on the head with a dark crown; the rest of the body varies in shades of grey except for the rich golden-orange of the arms and legs, and the hands, feet and face, which are black (4). Perrier's sifaka (P. d. perrieri) in contrast, is the smallest of the 4 subspecies and the dense coat is completely black (4). Milne-Edward's sifaka (P. d. edwardsi) has soft chocolate-brown fur with a creamy-white saddle on the lower back, and piercing orange-red eyes, which stand out against the dark face (4). The long, sleek, creamy-white coat of the silky sifaka (P. d. candidus) is also striking; the face is usually black and the eyes orange-red, although some individuals lack dark pigment giving their skin a pink tinge (4).

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