Danfoss' Mouse Lemur
Named after a company that specializes in thermostats (seriously), Danfoss' mouse lemur is a whiz at thermoregulation. This pocket-sized primate can lower its temperature by almost 50%, thereby reducing its energetic requirements by 25-40%. Recently discovered, this lemur is known from only six forest fragments in northwestern Madagascar, which comprise a total area less than 2,100 square kilometers. Danfoss’ mouse lemur suffers from habitat loss and degradation stemming from unsustainable farming practices, logging and hunting. Regional changes in precipitation and temperature, driven by climate change, may render its remaining habitat unsuitable. Endemic to Madagascar, this tiny lemur may disappear by 2080.
Art by Lily Cox-Richard