Lemurs Stage 4 Comprehension PDF

STAGE 4 Unit focus: Madagascar Text focus: Information Text Lemurs Perhaps the most iconic animals from Madagascar, lemurs are known around the world. Their lar...

STAGE 4 Unit focus: Madagascar Text focus: Information Text Lemurs Perhaps the most iconic animals from Madagascar, lemurs are known around the world. Their large eyes and monkey-like bodies mean that they are instantly recognisable. Along with monkeys, humans and apes, lemurs are members of the primate family. There are around 50 different species of lemur, all of which are only found in Madagascar and the neighbouring island of Comoros. Lemurs have pointed, fox-like faces and long back legs. This gives them a unique appearance when they crawl on all fours, with their bo oms sticking up higher than their heads. The smallest lemurs are around 6 centimetres long, whereas the largest grow to nearly 70 centimetres long. That doesn’t include the tails of the lemurs, which are sometimes longer than the body! Some tails are shorter, though. The indri is the largest lemur species but has a very short tail. Most lemurs are red, black, grey or brown - only the ring-tailed lemur has stripes. The eastern side of Madagascar is mainly forest and rainforest. Most species of lemur live in these habitats, although not all of them live in the east. Species of lemur are spread all over the island, spending most of their time in the trees. The ring-tailed lemur is an exception. They prefer to live in the harsher, rocky deserts that are do ed around the country. Most species of lemur are nocturnal. They prefer to move around during the night. They tend to live in large family groups and are extremely social with each other. They aren’t vicious animals and don’t often fight with each other. They prefer to eat leaves, flowers, fruits and insects. However, they have been known to eat eggs from nests. Lemurs are very good at communicating with each other. They use scents and their voice to alert each other to danger or to pass on information. During the mating season, male lemurs need to A challenge each other to see who gets to breed. Some species do this by trying ding ro Rea und all resources ©2021 Literacy Shed e um C u r r ic ul Th http://www.literacyshedplus.com to out-stink each other. The males will cover their tails with scent from special glands on their wrists. They then hop around, waving their tail at the other males. Eventually, one will win, and the other will slink away. Many species of lemur are now endangered. Farmers are cutting down their forest habitat, and they are often captured to be sold as pets. Even though they are incredibly cute, they don’t make good pets. By the time their owners realise this, it is often too late, and the animal dies, or they have to be rescued by zoos. VOCABULARY FOCUS 1. Which word in the first paragraph means that the image of a lemur is linked to Madagascar? 2. What does the phrase “unique appearance” tell you about lemurs? 3. Find and copy a word that means the ring-railed lemur is different to other species. 4. Which word means that lemurs prefer to move around at night? 5. Find and copy a synonym for “passing on information”. VIPERS QUESTIONS R Where in Madagascar is mainly covered in trees? S What are the main causes for lemurs being endangered? R What do lemurs use to decide who gets to breed? R What do lemurs like to eat? R What is the largest species of lemur? all resources ©2021 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com