What Is the World's Smallest Primate
The world's smallest primate is the mouse lemur, specifically Madame Berthe's mouse lemur. It weighs around 30 grams and measures roughly 9 centimeters in body length, making it the smallest known living primate.
Habitat, Diet, and Behavior
Madame Berthe's mouse lemur lives in dry deciduous forests in western Madagascar. It is nocturnal, foraging for insects, fruit, and nectar. Like other lemurs, it relies on tree hollows and dense vegetation for shelter and thermoregulation.
Conservation Status and Threats
The species faces habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion. The IUCN lists Madame Berthe's mouse lemur as endangered, with a declining population. Conservation efforts focus on protecting remaining forest fragments in Madagascar.
