Lemurs Facing Extinction in Madagascar

Lee Spangler with Lemur Friend in Madagascar

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has just announced that 90 of 101 species of lemur are now on their Red List of Threatened Species, with 20 percent classed as Critically Endangered. This means the vast majority of lemurs are in danger of complete extinction in the wild. Found only in Madagascar, lemurs are threatened by the loss of their habitat created by illegal logging. To find out what you can do to help lemurs, please go here.

Lemur in Madagascar (Photo by Lee Spangler)

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Madagascar Day Gecko

"It's not easy being green."
- Kermit the Frog

Our Plastic Madagascar Day Gecko

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic Madagascar day gecko miniature is made of somewhat flexible hard plastic. This replica has detailed skin and is painted green with a white belly. This gecko replica has red-brown spots with distinct eyes. This Madagascar day gecko miniature makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama for a school project, or serves as a great collectible. Check out our other gecko toys and gifts.

About Madagascar Day Geckos

The Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis) is a species of gecko found only in Madacascar. It is a large omnivorous gecko. It feeds on insects and spiders and on fruit. It can be found on tree trunks, branches and on the forest floor. Madgascar day geckos have been heavily collected in the pet trade and seem to do well in captivity. It is an attractive gecko due to the bright brick red spots its back and its distinctive splayed feet.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Hissing Cockroach

All together now...EWWW!

Our Hissing Cockroach

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic hissing cockroach is made of hard, flexible plastic. It is 3 inches long and 1 3/4 inches across from leg tip to leg tip. Our cockroach comes from Madagascar and is large with orange and black stripes. Our hissing cockroach replica is a little disgusting, but promises not to bite. It works well for a shoe box diorama or other school projects. It also makes for an interesting party favor or for a gag. Check out our other cockroach toys and gifts. Just to clarify, our toy cockroach does not make any noise - that's the species name of the real cockroach.

About Cockroaches

Hissing cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa) are found in Madagascar and are among the largrest cockroaches in the world.They are wingless and are often 2-3 inches long. They live in rotting logs and feed on rotting material and last for about five years. It gets its name by forcing air through its breathing pores in its abdomen, whereas other insects make sound by rubbing legs together.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Leaf-tailed Gecko

A unique and fantastic piece for your next diorama!

Our Plastic Leaf-tailed Gecko

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic leaf-tailed gecko miniature is made of somewhat flexible plastic. This replica has detailed skin and is painted in two shades of brown with distinct eyes. This leaf-tailed gecko replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. Check out our other gecko toys and gifts.

About Leaf-tailed Geckos

The leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) is a species of gecko found only in Madacascar. It is sometimes called the satanic leaf-tailed gecko or eyelash leaf-tailed gecko. It lives entirely on the rainforest floor in the litter of leaves, where it is well camouflaged. It is suffering greatly due to loss of habitat and from illegal pet trade.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Ring-tailed Lemur

Whether you want a project centerpiece or a unique gift, TPF is here for you!

Our Ring-tailed Lemur

This engaging-looking plastic ring-tailed lemur replica is made of solid plastic with a flexible tail. It is 1 1/2 inches long and 3 inches from the tip of the tail to the feet. It has a tinge of brown on its back but the body is basically grey with a white belly and neck.The head comes with distinctive eyes. Our ring-tailed lemur miniature has a concerned expression but promises not to bite. This lemur replica makes an interesting pet or gift and fits nicely into a shoebox diorama for a school project. Check out our other lemur toys and gifts.

About Ring-tailed Lemurs

The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is a well-known species of lemur in Madagascar. The ring-tailed lemur is the most recognized lemur due to its incredibly long tail. It inhabits scrubby forests in Madagascar where it eats leaves fruits and seeds. Even though they have such a long tail, lemurs can not grip with it. Ring-tailed lemurs spend the daylight hours on the ground usually sitting in the sun in groups, led by a dominantr female. Although threatened in Madagascar, lemurs breed well in zoos.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Red-ruffed Lemur

Add this unique animal to your biology project!

Our Red-ruffed Lemur

This engaging-looking plastic red-ruffed lemur replica is made of solid plastic with a flexible tail. It is 2 1/2 inches long and 1 3/4 tall. The fur is detailed and the red-ruffed lemur is painted in dark red, black and white. Our red-ruffed lemur miniature has a concerned expression but promises not to bite. This lemur replica makes an interesting pet or gift and fits nicely into a shoebox diorama for a school project about Madagascar. Check out our other lemur toys and gifts.

About Red-ruffed Lemurs

Lemurs are prosimians. They are primates, but are not as highly evolved as monkeys or great apes. One easily recognizable feature that differs between the lemurs and other primates is the long, almost dog-like nose of the lemurs. Whereas the other primates rely more heavily on vision and hearing, lemurs rely more on their sense of smell. There are 11 species of true lemurs and 7 species of dwarf lemurs. Lemurs are found only in the woodlands on the island of Madagascar, and the Comoro Islands near Madagascar. The red ruffed lemur is known for its reddish coloring and thick neck ruff.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Coquerel's Sifaka Lemur

Looks a little like he's walking the high-wire, doesn't he?

Our Coquerel's Sifaka Lemur

This engaging-looking plastic coquerel's sifaka replica is made of solid plastic and stands supported by its tail. It is 2 1/2 inches tall. The brown colored and white fur is well described and the head comes with distinctive eyes. Our coquerel's sifaka lemur miniature has a concerned expression but promises not to bite. This lemur replica makes an interesting pet or gift and fits nicely into a shoebox diorama for a school project. Check out our other lemur toys and gifts.

About Coquerel's Sifaka Lemurs

The Coquerel's sifaka lemur (Propithecus coquereli) is a well-known species of lemur in Madagascar. The coquerel's sifaka is a large lemur about 20 inches from head to rump and carries a 16 to 20 inch tail. It is arboreal and lives in the dry coastal forests of Madagascar. It moves from tree to tree not by swing its short arms, but by leaping with its large powerful legs.Sifakas are plant-eaters. Leaves are their favorite food, and make up most of their diet in the dry season (along with tree bark). In the wet season these primates also eat fruits and flowers. They find much of their food in the treetops, but also occasionally search for food on the ground. When eating, sifakas rarely use their hands to handle their meal. Instead, they usually grab the food directly with their mouth.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Fossa

He's the top predator of his world...except for Man!

Our Plastic Toy Fossa

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic fossa miniature is made of hard, somewhat flexible plastic. This fossa replica has detailed fur and is painted brown. The fossa body is 2 inches long and the tail is one inch long. This miniature fossa makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama for a school project or serves as a great collectible. Check out our other fossa and mongoose toys and gifts.

About Fossas

The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is a large carnivore found exclusively in Madagascar. Related to the mongoose, it behaves much more like a leopard. It spends much of the time in the trees and it leaps from tree to tree like a squirrel. It is almost 3 feet long and weighs as much as 15 pounds. Some think that the fossa is entirely nocturnal since they are rarely sighted. It hunts fish, birds and particularly enjoys eating lemurs. Fossas have no natural predators, but has suffered like most Madagascar animals from the incursions of man.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Tomato Frog

Ours is as cute as the real thing, but WON'T irritate your skin!

Our Plastic Tomato Frog

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic tomato frog miniature is made of somewhat flexible plastic. This replica has detailed skin and is painted in two shades of orange with distinct eyes and a yellow belly. This tomato frog replica makes for a nice pet, gag, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. Check out our other frog toys and gifts.

About Tomato Frogs

The tomato frog has three similar species found only in Madacascar. When threatened the tomato frog puffs up and secretes an oily toxic substance which effects the eyes of predators and can cause a rash to the skin of humans. The Madacascar tomato frog grows to about 4 inches in length and is now on the endangered species list.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Madagascar Day Gecko

This gecko is ADORABLE, and won't try to sell you insurance!

Our Plastic Madagascar Day Gecko

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic Madagascar day gecko miniature is made of somewhat flexible hard plastic. This replica has detailed skin and is painted green with a white belly. This gecko replica has red-brown spots with distinct eyes. This Madagascar day gecko miniature makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama for a school project, or serves as a great collectible. Check out our other gecko toys and gifts.

About Madagascar Day Geckos

The Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis) is a species of gecko found only in Madacascar. It is a large omnivorous gecko. It feeds on insects and spiders and on fruit. It can be found on tree trunks, branches and on the forest floor. Madgascar day geckos have been heavily collected in the pet trade and seem to do well in captivity. It is an attractive gecko due to the bright brick red spots its back and its distinctive splayed feet.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Madagascar Day Gecko

Check out our magnificent madagascar day gecko!

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic Madagascar day gecko miniature is made of somewhat flexible hard plastic. This replica has detailed skin and is painted green with a white belly. This gecko replica has red-brown spots with distinct eyes. This Madagascar day gecko miniature makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama for a school project, or serves as a great collectible. Check out our other gecko toys and gifts.

About Madagascar Day Geckos

The Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis) is a species of gecko found only in Madacascar. It is a large omnivorous gecko. It feeds on insects and spiders and on fruit. It can be found on tree trunks, branches and on the forest floor. Madgascar day geckos have been heavily collected in the pet trade and seem to do well in captivity. It is an attractive gecko due to the bright brick red spots its back and its distinctive splayed feet.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Our Hissing Cockroach

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic hissing cockroach is made of hard, flexible plastic. It is 3 inches long and 1 3/4 inches across from leg tip to leg tip. Our cockroach comes from Madagascar and is large with orange and black stripes. Our hissing cockroach replica is a little disgusting, but promises not to bite. It works well for a shoe box diorama or other school projects. It also makes for an interesting party favor or for a gag. Check out our other cockroach toys and gifts. Just to clarify, our toy cockroach does not make any noise - that's the species name of the real cockroach.

About Cockroaches

Hissing cockroaches are of the genus (Gromphadorhina portentosa) are found in Madagascar and are among the largrest cockroaches in the world.They are wingless and are often 2-3 inches long. They live in rotting logs and feed on rotting material and last for about five years. It gets its name by forcing air through its breathing pores in its abdomen, whereas other insects make sound by rubbing legs together.