Avatar:Winged lemur
📚
This article was imported from Avatar Wiki under the CC-BY-SA license.
📎 View original · 📅 Imported: 2025-12-22
<infobox theme-source="nation"> <image source="image" /> <title source="name"><default>Winged lemur</default></title> <group> <header>General information</header> <label>Habitat</label> <label>Status</label> <label>Bending</label> <label>Uses</label> </group> <group> <header>Chronological information</header> <label>First appearance</label> <label>Last appearance</label> <label>Voiced by</label> </group> <header>Image gallery (1)</header> </infobox> The winged lemur,[1] alternatively known as flying lemur or just lemur,[2][3] is a small, energetic and critically endangered animal. Momo is the only known winged lemur to have survived the Air Nomad Genocide, though the ring-tailed winged lemur, a closely related species, was rediscovered after the end of the Hundred Year War.
History
At some point after the construction of the air temples, winged lemurs came to settle in them on their own. Though wild and mischievous animals, the Air Nomads liked their new neighbors and encouraged their presence. Before long, winged lemurs became a common sight at the temples and were effectively domesticated. Many monks and nuns got winged lemurs as pets.[4] Famously, Avatar Yangchen had two winged lemurs as pets named Pik and Pak.[5][6] In contrast to the great numbers of regular winged lemurs, the ring-tailed winged lemur were much rarer in Air Nomad territories.[7]
While relaxing one day at the Southern Air Temple around 0 AG, Aang and Gyatso flung some fruit pies at a few elder monks, and several winged lemurs took the opportunity to eat the splattered remains of the food.[8]
After the Air Nomad Genocide, the winged lemurs were almost wiped out. Upon returning to the Southern Air Temple, Aang found and befriended the only known living lemur there and named him Momo. From that point onward, the lemur was a companion to Team Avatar and followed the group on their adventures.[8][9]
Anatomy
The winged lemur is equipped with large, membrane-like wings attached to its arms that allow it to take flight. It has a prominently black face with two proportionately large, green eyes, and its fur is mostly white with several black stripes. Other color markings and variations have been seen.[8] The winged lemur has two very wide, long ears on its head that give it fantastic hearing. It has a monkey-like tail, which is usually black with two white stripes at its tip. The winged lemur is very quick and agile and seems to have a very acute sense of smell, as it is able to detect food at a moderate distance.[9]
Behavior
Winged lemurs are known for their high intelligence and rather skittish nature.[2][10] They prefer to fly and live at elevated places to avoid predators.[10]
They were extremely popular with Air Nomad children and adults alike, and were considered to be the former's favorite pets. The airbenders trained them to do many tasks, one of which was to retrieve gliders if the nomads dropped them from their flying bison.[3] Winged lemurs are omnivorous. They love food and are not above taking it directly out of the hands of any person who might be holding some at the time. They like to be petted,[11] though if they become frightened or threatened by an enemy, they will raise their back and hiss.[12]
Notable winged lemurs
Connection
Real world lemurs are similar in appearance to the winged lemur, with regards to body shape, color, and face. The coloration of their fur favors that of a sifaka, a species of lemur in the real world which is also critically endangered. The other half of the winged lemur's body structure as well as its wings resembles that of a spotted bat. Furthermore, the lemur resembles the common house cat in terms of its demeanor, curiosity, and reactions. Winged lemurs also share a few similarities with colugos, which are also referred to as the "flying lemurs" of the real world.
Trivia
- Although Momo was believed to be the only known living winged lemur, Tho claimed to have seen one in a traveling circus.[13]
- A cut subplot for "The Western Air Temple" would have involved Haru, The Duke, and Teo discovering a group of winged lemurs in the Western Air Temple.[14]
- The winged lemurs have their own theme song; while it is normally fast and lively, the music is played in a slow, relaxed way while Momo is gorging himself.[15]
- The way winged lemurs see the world resembles an image seen through a fisheye lens.[16]
References
See also
- Fauna in the World of Avatar
- Momo in The Last Airbender
- Ring-tailed winged lemur
External links
de:Lemur es:Lémur volador fr:Lémure id:Lemur bersayap nl:Maki pl:Skrzydlaty lemur ru:Крылатые лемуры