Quick answer
Aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis) are listed in our guides as Endangered. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Key takeaway
Aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis) are listed in our guides as Endangered. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Aye-aye conservation status
Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) is recorded here as Endangered. Global categories summarise extinction risk; regional populations can be safer or worse than the headline label.
Threats facing aye-ayes
Habitat loss around Rainforests and coconut plantations of Madagascar, hunting or persecution, climate pressure, and conflict with people are common drivers. Exact ranking of threats varies by region.
Outlook for Aye-aye populations
Where monitoring exists, trends track protected-area quality and enforcement. Fragmented groups need corridors and genetic exchange to avoid local extinction.
What actually helps
Support verified conservation programmes, cut demand for illegal wildlife products, and protect habitat. Tourism helps only when operators follow ethical wildlife standards.
Physical traits and behaviour
Aye-ayes typically reach about 0.9 m in length and 3 kg in weight, with top speeds near 8 km/h. Madagascar's nocturnal oddity. Daily activity, social structure, and seasonal movements reflect pressures in their native environment.
Diet and ecological role
Aye-ayes feed on omnivore — insect larvae, fruit, nectar, and fungi. Foraging shifts with season and local abundance. As mammals, they influence food webs — controlling prey, dispersing seeds, or shaping habitat through feeding and movement.
Sources
Aye-aye FAQs
Are aye-ayes endangered?
Aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis) are listed in our guides as Endangered. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
What is the scientific name of the aye-aye?
Daubentonia madagascariensis — used in research and conservation listings for aye-ayes.
What do aye-ayes eat?
Aye-ayes eat insect larvae, fruit, nectar, and fungi, with seasonal and regional variation in Rainforests and coconut plantations of Madagascar.
Where do aye-ayes live?
They are associated with Rainforests and coconut plantations of Madagascar. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of aye-ayes?
Listed in our guides as Endangered. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.