How These “Vertical Clingers” Can Clear Up to 40 Feet

The wild sifaka is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining and delightful animals to watch in the entire animal kingdom. This type of lemur, a member of the genus Propithecus, puts on quite a show, as is clearly evident in this adorable YouTube video from the San Diego Zoo.

In this clip, you’ll notice the unique ways that sifakas get from place to place, including how they gallop sideways. Is this common, or do they get around in different ways? Let’s learn more about these charming creatures and their unusual movements.

Why Do Sifakas Gallop?

Believe it or not, when sifakas are getting from place to place while on the ground, you’ll only see them traveling via this unique gallop, which is often referred to as sideways locomotion. You’ll never see them running in a straight line or walking like humans or some other wild creatures. There are various types of sifakas, and they all move similarly. 

While researchers have spent time trying to learn why the sifakas move this way, they don’t have a lot of concrete answers. Some research hints that this odd movement is due to the sifaka’s unique body type and features. Other research suggests that the sideways gallop makes it easy for them to travel long distances while conserving energy.

There’s also this to consider: Sifakas are known as “vertical clingers” because they can jump more than 30 feet in the air using their long and powerful legs. Their arms are much shorter, so most of the energy comes from their legs. Because of their disproportionate limbs, they cannot run on all fours. Since they depend on their legs so much, often traveling up to a mile a day, it makes sense that they would want to put less stress on their hindquarters when they’re on land.

Sifakas in the Trees

If you want to see a show, then head to a large zoo or to the island of Madagascar, where these animals call home. Sifakas use those powerful legs to leap quickly and go from tree to tree, often clearing distances of 30-40 feet. Once they find a nice clump of trees, they use their powerful legs to stay in place.

It’s up in the trees where sifakas find many of the items that make up their diet. They mostly feast on leaves, fruit, bark, flowers, and deadwood when they’re in the wild. While in captivity, they may also eat corn, carrots, onions, and other tasty snacks.

It’s also in the trees where sifakas play, sleep, and spend time with their families. Sifakas often wake up early in the morning to soak in the sun. Then, they travel in groups consisting of males and females to search for food before returning before sunset.