What species is Maurice in the Madagascar films?

Maurice is an aye-aye in the Madagascar films. He is King Julien’s adviser and one of the principal lemur characters encountered by Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria on Madagascar.

Aye-ayes are real nocturnal primates native to Madagascar. They are recognized by their large ears, continuously growing incisors, and unusually long middle fingers, which they use to find insect larvae beneath tree bark. Maurice’s animated design draws on this distinctive appearance.

Maurice is often confused with the other lemurs in the films. King Julien is a ring-tailed lemur, while Mort is a mouse lemur. The fossa, meanwhile, is a separate carnivorous mammal and the lemurs’ main predator in the first film.

In the story, Maurice is more cautious and practical than King Julien. His skeptical reactions provide a contrast to Julien’s enthusiasm, especially when the zoo animals arrive and disrupt the lemurs’ usual way of life.