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!

Leonard Frieling
  • Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
  • Former Judge
  • Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
  • First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
  • Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
  • Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
  • NORML Distinguished Counsel Circle
  • Life Member, NORML Legal Committee
  • Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
  • Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML
  • Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
  • Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
  • Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
  • LEAP Speaker, multi-published author, University lectures Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels.
  • http://www.Lfrieling.com
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