Why Do People Want to Get a Lemur?
In recent years, exotic animals have increasingly become household pets. People seek unique and unusual companions, and social media only fuels the trend of owning exotic creatures. Lemurs are particularly appealing due to their unusual appearance: large expressive eyes, fluffy bodies, long striped tails, and amusing movements make them look like cartoon characters. They appear cute and friendly, sparking the desire in people to have one as a pet.
However, appearances can be deceiving. Lemurs are wild animals with specific needs that differ greatly from those of familiar pets like dogs or cats. The desire to keep them at home is often driven by trends or a lack of understanding of their true care requirements.
Is a Lemur Really a Good Pet for Home?
Despite their appeal, lemurs are poorly suited to life in a domestic setting. They are not socialized to live with humans, have special care requirements, and can exhibit unpredictable behavior. Many owners who were initially excited about their exotic purchase later face serious challenges and end up looking for a new home for the lemur or even releasing it, which can be disastrous for the animal.
Keeping a lemur is definitely not a game. It is a huge responsibility that demands time, financial investment, and an understanding of their behavioral traits.
Can You Keep a Lemur at Home? Legal and Ethical Issues
Laws in Different Countries Regarding Lemur Ownership
Lemurs are rare animals under protection. Most species are listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and their export and ownership are regulated by the CITES Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
In many countries, keeping lemurs in private households is prohibited. For example:
In the United States, only certain states allow lemur ownership, and even then only with a special permit.
In the European Union, most countries strictly regulate or ban the sale and ownership of primates as pets.
In Ukraine, lemurs are also on the list of animals whose ownership is restricted due to their endangered status.
Before getting a lemur, it’s essential to carefully review local laws, as violations can result in not only the confiscation of the animal but also significant fines.
The Ethical Side: How Capturing Lemurs from the Wild Affects Their Population
Lemurs are endemic to the island of Madagascar, and their population is rapidly declining due to deforestation, poaching, and illegal trade. By purchasing a lemur from a private seller, you may unknowingly support the illegal exotic animal market.
Baby lemurs are often taken from the wild, cruelly separated from their mothers, which drastically reduces their chances of survival. Moreover, most exotic animals removed from their natural habitat cannot adapt to new conditions and often die from stress, illness, or improper care.
Therefore, the ethics of keeping lemurs as pets is a serious concern. If you truly care about these unique creatures, it may be more meaningful to support conservation efforts rather than trying to keep one at home.
Behavior and Personality Traits of Lemurs
How Are Lemurs Different from Common Household Pets?
Lemurs are primates, and their behavior differs significantly from that of typical pets. They are not domesticated, which means they lack the genetically ingrained traits that would help them adapt comfortably to human environments.
Key traits:
They cannot be trained like dogs or cats — they follow their instincts.
They have a strong territorial instinct and may mark areas, including furniture and personal belongings.
They can show aggression, especially during puberty, and may bite or scratch.
Social Structure: Why Is It Hard for Them to Live Alone?
Lemurs are social animals that live in groups in the wild. Their survival and well-being are built around interaction with others, including shared foraging and mutual grooming.
When kept alone, a lemur may suffer from depression, anxiety, and increasingly erratic behavior. Even if you spend a lot of time with it, this cannot replace genuine interaction with other lemurs.
Activity, Vocalizations, and the Need for Movement and Interaction
Lemurs are highly active. They love to jump, climb trees, and need a lot of space to move around. Keeping them in a cage is cruel and damaging, as regular physical activity is vital for their well-being.
Another challenge is their vocal communication. Lemurs use loud sounds to express themselves, which can be overwhelming in a home setting. They communicate through screeches, cries, and even hissing — noises that can disturb both housemates and neighbors.
Caring for a Lemur: Housing Conditions
Lemurs are wild animals that are not adapted to living in domestic settings. In the wild, they inhabit humid tropical forests with vast space for movement, complex social structures, and a diverse diet. It’s a mistake to think they can be kept like ordinary pets. An apartment is not suitable for a lemur — they require a large enclosure with vertical structures for climbing. Without enough space, a lemur quickly becomes stressed, which can result in aggression or self-harming behavior.
Temperature control is also essential. Lemurs are used to constant warmth, so the indoor temperature should be maintained between 22–28°C (71–82°F) without sudden fluctuations. Humidity should stay between 50–70%, as dry air negatively affects their skin and respiratory system. A natural light cycle is vital, so if housed indoors, special UV lamps are necessary.
The living space must be thoroughly prepared — lemurs are agile and can easily hurt themselves. Windows, doors, and vents should be securely sealed to prevent escape. All electrical wires and small items that could be swallowed must be removed. Additionally, many houseplants are toxic to lemurs, so their presence should be carefully reviewed to avoid accidental poisoning.
Grooming and Fur Care
Though wild, lemurs still require fur care in captivity. In nature, they groom one another to maintain cleanliness and remove dead hairs. In solitary environments, this social grooming is absent, making occasional brushing essential, especially for longer-haired species.
At V.O.G DOG SALON, specialists in exotic animal care can provide hygienic grooming services that include brushing, fur cleaning, and skin checks for irritation or parasites. It’s important to use natural, gentle shampoos, as lemurs have sensitive skin. Their claws also need special attention — they grow quickly and can cause injury if not trimmed regularly by a professional.
Nutrition: What Do Lemurs Eat?
In the wild, lemurs feed on a diet of fruits, leaves, flower nectar, tree shoots, and insects. Recreating this diet in captivity is challenging, as many exotic ingredients are simply unavailable. The base of a domestic lemur’s diet can include fruits such as bananas, mangoes, papaya, apples, and berries, along with green vegetables like spinach and broccoli. Nuts and seeds may be included but should be offered in moderation.
Not all foods are suitable for lemurs. Citrus fruits, avocado, dairy products, sweets, chocolate, potatoes, onions, and garlic are strictly prohibited. These items can cause severe digestive issues and may even be life-threatening. Poorly balanced diets, common among owners lacking proper knowledge, often lead to obesity, vitamin deficiencies, digestive disorders, and premature death.
Providing a healthy diet for a lemur in captivity is no easy task. The balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates must be closely monitored, and dietary supplements — especially calcium and vitamin D3 — are essential. Regular veterinary oversight is crucial to prevent deficiencies in key micronutrients.
Conclusion: Why Lemurs Thrive Best in the Wild
Lemurs may be adorable, but they are also complex creatures with highly specific needs. They require ample space, a balanced diet, and social interaction — all essential for their physical and mental well-being. In the wild, they have access to everything they need: a varied diet, natural surroundings, freedom of movement, and interaction with others of their kind.
Captivity rarely provides such conditions. Most owners who are initially charmed by an exotic pet eventually face difficulties and disappointment. Keeping a lemur at home is a major responsibility that demands financial resources, specialized knowledge, and deep commitment.
If you truly care about lemurs and want to support their survival, consider alternatives such as supporting wildlife sanctuaries, contributing to conservation programs, and approaching exotic animals with awareness and respect. Responsible stewardship of nature is the best way to preserve the unique world of lemurs for future generations.
