‘Sun worshipping’ lemurs limber up for daily lotus pose

Taronga Zoo’s lemurs have entranced visitors with their strange new daily yoga trend for a surprising reason.

Lemurs at Taronga Zoo showing off their “sun worshipping” skills - the unique pose is a common way for lemurs to warm up on a cold winter’s day. Pictures: Thomas Lisson

Farewell downward dog, welcome lemurs in lotus.

This clever lemur at Taronga Zoo looked right at home in what some would call a yoga pose.

But rather than limbering up, the primate was in search of more literal enlightenment, according to keeper Bec Lambert.

Ms Lambert said the behaviour, called “sun worshipping”, was a common way for lemurs to warm up on a cold winter’s day

“Thermal regulation is the main purpose,” she said.

Ring-tailed lemurs at Taronga zoo are displaying a unique meditating yoga pose that experts say helps with thermal regulation. Picture Thomas Lisson

“(In Madagascar) it’s really cold at night, (lemurs) sleep in caves and in the morning they come out and the first thing they want to do is warm themselves up.”

Ms Lambert said in winter the behaviour is seen more often, with the zoo’s entire family of lemurs catching some morning rays in front of amused visitors.

“We call it the perfect lemur weather,” she said.

“It also creates and strengthens social bonds, they all sit in a group and do it together.

“It’s hilarious honestly they become so docile and chill and they’re just so happy.”