Coprophagy by wild ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) in human‐disturbed locations adjacent to the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar

Abstract

Coprophagy occurs in a number of animal species, including nonhuman primates. During the 2003-2004 dry seasons at the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar, we observed wild ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) consuming dried fecal matter from three different species. Ring-tailed lemurs consumed human feces on 12 occasions, cattle feces twice, and feral dog feces once. Coprophagy in this population may be a behavioral adaptation that provides animals access to energy and nutrients and may be an important nutritional source for older, and/or dentally impaired individuals during the dry season.

Disgusting appetite: Two-toed sloths feeding in human latrines

“…This exposure could potentially result in the transmission of diseases and parasites from humans to sloths and from there into other wildlife. A similar conclusion was reached by Fish et al (2007) for interspecific coprophagy by L. catta.…”

“…This can make faeces potentially attractive as a source of nutrients. Consumption of faeces from humans, cattle and dogs by ringtailed lemurs, Lemur catta, in Madagascar has been interpreted as a means of obtaining easily accessible energy (Fish et al, 2007). In contrast, the consumption by dogs of faeces from cows, horses and sheep is generally without nutritional relevance, although it might also indicate some protein or vitamin B deficiencies (Meyer and Zentek, 2005).…”

Microhabitat Variation and Its Effects on Dietary Composition and Intragroup Feeding Interactions Between Adult Female Lemur catta During the Dry Season at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Southwestern Madagascar

“…Fecal matter ranked 6th among the top 10 most frequently consumed foods by Black group. Explanations regarding the function of coprophagy by primates in natural habitats suggest that it could indicate insufficient roughage (Fritz et al 1992) and food scarcity (Goodall 1986), and could contribute to the digestion of cellulose (Collett et al 1984) or aid with the assimilation of vitamins and aid nutrient uptake, and provide energy (Fish et al 2007;Graczyk and Cranfield 2003;Hladik 1978;Krief et al 2004;Oxnard 1966). Although they are certainly plausible benefits for the ingestion of fecal matter by Black group females, there are potential costs.…”

Seed Reingestion in Savannah Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) at Fongoli, Senegal

“…Coprophagy also occurs in some marsupial species (Hirakawa 2001); the African elephant (Loxodonta Africana: Leggett 2004); several domestic animals, such as horses, pigs, and dogs (Soave and Brand 1991); and in extinct mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius: van Glenn et al 2010). In primates, researchers have reported coprophagy for captive and wild individuals of various taxa: sportive lemurs (Lepilemur leucopus : Hladik 1978), ringtail lemurs (Lemur catta: Fish et al 2007), common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus: Flurer and Zucker 1988), and brown capuchins (Cebus paella: Prates and Bicca-Marques 2005). All ape species have been observed to eat feces, especially in captivity (Fritz et al 1992;Hill 1966;Hook et al 2002).…”