Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Microcebus

Microcebus

1 9.9
A very small lemur that looks like a mouse and lives in Madagascar
  • proper noun
  • Specialized
: Microcebus
  • Scientists identified a new species of Microcebus that exhibits unique behaviors in its natural habitat.
  • mouse lemur (Microcebus)
  • Microcebus murinus

Examples

  • The gray mouse lemur, known scientifically as Microcebus murinus, is one of the smallest primates native to Madagascar.

  • Pygmy mouse lemur (Microcebus myoxinus) feeding on a locust.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus) can also hibernate for months, but in this species, only adult females do it.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The Microcebus genus comprises several species, including the pygmy mouse lemur, which is famous for its tiny size.

Surface Forms

Microcebus main

Etymology

Microcebus comes from two parts: micro- meaning 'small' and cebus meaning 'monkey'. So, Microcebus literally means 'small monkey', which fits these tiny mouse lemurs from Madagascar.