Big Eyes To See Boulder Nights Better. Nocturnal Blog for a Nocturnal Animal
Lemur pic Lensworth
Right up the road from Boulder, with easy access, great parking and wonderful enclosures, our Denver Zoo is yet another wonder within 1/2 hour of Boulder. provides its animal guests as Lemurs, with their saucer-like eyes and enigmatic presence, are among the most charismatic creatures of Madagascar. These primates are distinguished by their large, reflective eyes, which give them an almost otherworldly appearance. This distinctive feature is not merely for show; it plays a crucial role in their nocturnal lifestyle. The lemurs’ eyes are adapted to absorb as much light as possible, allowing them to see in the dark forests where they make their home. This nocturnal vision is essential for spotting food and avoiding predators under the cover of night.
Their eyes also serve as a social tool, helping them communicate with their peers through subtle visual signals. Lemurs have a reflective layer behind their retinas known as the tapetum lucidum, which enhances their night vision and causes their eyes to shine in the dark, adding to their mystique. From the tiny mouse lemur to the larger ring-tailed lemur, their eyes are a window into a life adapted to the unique challenges of their ecosystem. These creatures are not just a wonder to behold but also a testament to the marvels of evolutionary adaptation.
The Geoffroy’s Marmoset, Lemur’s Neighbor
Next to the really cute Lemur we find the almost cuter (if that’s possible) Geoffroy’s Tufted Ear Marmoset, a monkey.
While zoos in the past were like prisons for animals so that humans could ogle, there has been a paradigm shift. Now zoos emphasis the protection of vanishing species and the comfort and care of the animals. I remain convinced that the animals enjoy the daily show as humans of all varieties, dressed in every possible variety of “skins,” parade by. The equivalent of reality TV, the marmosets enjoy the reality show of people parading by every day of the year, every season, and the people come in all sizes and shapes.
Visiting the zoo present lessons in animals, habitats, conservation efforts, and geography. While designed to be child-friendly, the zoo is adult-friendly also. “Interp boards” are thoughtful, legible, educational, and professionally designed and executed. Remember to take a pic of the interp boards to accompany your animal pics. Remember that Google has a visual search feature allowing a picture of a plant or animal to be identified. So visit, watch, listen, learn, and most important, enjoy! The Lemurs and Marmosets appear to be enjoying the tourist attraction as the zoo attracts tourists for the marmosets’ and the lemurs’ amusement and viewing pleasure.
Please remember that I have already confessed to anthropomorphizing! Just like most, I attribute human emotions and behavior to animals. The bad news is that this “intuitive interpretation” can be misleading, the good news is that we are frequently right!
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