Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Leapin' lemurs! New species discovered

Two new species of lemur look so similar that it's impossible to tell them apart without sequencing their genes, scientists said. The itsy-bitsy primates are both mouse lemurs, which are tiny, nocturnal lemurs that measure less than 11 inches from nose to tail. The newly discovered Madagascar natives weigh only 2.5 to 3 ounces. Researchers want to preserve lemurs not only for their own sake, but for humans' sake as well. As a primate, the mouse lemur is more closely related to humans than rats or mice, which are commonly used in medical research.
Which animal do you think is most in danger of becoming extinct?

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