Scientific name Microcebus myoxinus Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Genus Microcebus Higher classification Mouse lemur | |
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Similar Mouse lemur, Primate, Lemur, Lemuriformes, Cheirogaleidae | ||
Pygmy mouse lemur (Microcebus myoxinus), also known as Peters' mouse lemur or dormouse lemur," is a primate weighing only 43–55 g (1.5–1.9 oz); it is the second smallest of the mouse lemurs. Its dorsal side is a rufous-brown colour, and creamy-white ventrally. It lives in dry deciduous forests.
The pygmy mouse lemur measures around 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) (head-body length). Its small size and nocturnal nature made it difficult to locate for over a century, and was rediscovered in the Kirindy forest in western Madagascar in 1993. They are believed to inhabit other parts of the island, but so far have only been discovered in a localized area.
The lemur rests during the day, and it has a tendency to sleep in the open, which increases the risk of predation; although this danger is somewhat mitigated by sleeping alone. It can also use the abandoned nests of the Coquerel's giant mouse lemur (Mirza coquereli).