DATA - Activity patterns, feeding habits and water consumption in food in Verreaux’s sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi) and red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons) during the transition between wet and dry season

In seasonal habitats, animals may have difficulties accessing enough food and water year-round because environmental factors change massively. In the dry forests of Madagascar, lemurs adapt their behavior and diet to cope with resource scarcity, but their water requirements remain poorly understood. This study compared the activity patterns, feeding habits, and water consumption in food of Verreaux’s sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi) and red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons) in Kirindy Forest during the transition from the wet to the dry season. We hypothesized that both species would reduce their activity levels to conserve energy and water, adapt their diets to resource availability, and consume foods with higher water content. From March to May 2024, we recorded behavior and food preferences of 6 lemur groups and collected food item samples to analyze their water content. We found that E. rufifrons rested more and fed less than sifakas, but both species rested less when humidity was higher. Sifakas preferred leaves, while red-fronted lemurs fed more on fruits. The two species consumed food with a similar water content that was unaffected by seasonal transitions, and their diets remained consistent despite seasonal climatic variations. By exploring these behavioral adaptations, this research provides insight into how these lemur species cope with seasonal resource dynamics.