The colony was found on the uninhabited Madagascan island of Nosy Hara, which lies 6km from the most northerly point of Madagascar. They appear to have no fear of humans and could be a completely new species unique to the island. The extraordinary discovery was made by primatologist, Charlie Gardner and his nature photographer wife, Louise Jasper, while on holiday on Nosy Hara. Gardner has spent the last decade studying lemurs on Madagascar and stumbled upon the mysterious creatures while walking through the forest during the evening. Two individuals were spotted within ten minutes of each other, followed by a group of four feeding the next night.



As no lemur species are known to live on the island, they were astonished. At the beginning of the 21st Century, there were believed to be only two species of dwarf lemur in existence; however following DNA testing, a study published last year uncovered at least 18 distinct species. The closest population of dwarf lemurs to the island is 65km south, adding further credibility to the possibility that they could be new to science. Given the small size of the habitat, at 320 hectares, and the lack of forest cover in places, the viability of the colony’s future survival is already in question – but no accurate population figure can be currently given until further research is carried out.

That said, the island could also be a sanctuary, as it is rarely visited and fairly inaccessible – affording them protection from human persecution and habitat destruction that’s putting all other lemur species at risk. Dwarf lemurs are also the only primate known to hibernate, or enter a state of torpor. This could have beneficial implications for their future survival when confronted with a lack of food for example. Dwarfism is an adaptation that often evolves within island ecosystems when reduced habitat size places feeding pressures on a species.

Nosy Hara is also home to the world’s smallest form of chameleon, which can sit on the edge of a matchstick! Click the link below to view photos of the potential new species in a feature published by BBC Earth.

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150812-tiny-lemur-may-be-worlds-rarest