Lemur Experience

Ring-Tailed Lemur

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lemur catta

most common location: Madagascar

CONSERVATION STATUS: Threatened

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The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is a large strepsirrhine primate and the most recognized lemur due to its long, black and white ringed tail. It belongs to Lemuridae, one of five lemur families, and is the only member of the Lemur genus. Like all lemurs it is endemic to the island of Madagascar. Known locally in Malagasy as maky ([makʲ] ( listen), spelled maki in French) or hira, it inhabits gallery forests to spiny scrub in the southern regions of the island. It is omnivorous and the most terrestrial of extant lemurs. The animal is diurnal, being active exclusively in daylight hours. [credits: Wikipedia]

Collared Brown Lemur

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Eulemur collaris

most common location: Madagascar

CONSERVATION STATUS: Endangered

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Collared brown lemurs are medium-sized primates and one of twelve species of the Brown lemur. Males and females in this species look different. Males are brownish-gray on top being paler gray underneath. Their muzzle, face and crown are dark gray to black; the eyebrow patches are creamy to gray-colored and vary between individuals. Cheeks are creamy to rufous-brown and beard is thick and bushy. The tails are dark gray with a dark stripe along the spine. Females are browner and more rufous than the males on top being pale creamy-gray underneath. Tails have same color as the dorsal coat. Their face is gray, with faint gray stripe extending over crown. Cheeks are rufous-brown, but less prominent than in males. Both males and females have orange-red eyes color. [Credit: Animalia]

Black and White Ruffed Lemur

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Varecia variegata

most common location: Madagascar

CONSERVATION STATUS: Critically Endangered

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The black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) is a Critically Endangered species of ruffed lemur, the more endangered one of two which are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Despite having a larger range than the red ruffed lemur, it has a much smaller population that is spread out, living in lower population densities and reproductively isolated. It also has less coverage and protection in large national parks than the red ruffed lemur. Three subspecies of black-and-white ruffed lemur have been recognized since the red ruffed lemur was elevated to species status in 2001.

Together with the red ruffed lemur, they are the largest extant members of the family Lemuridae, ranging in length from 100 to 120 cm (3.3 to 3.9 ft) and weighing between 3.1 and 4.1 kg (6.8 and 9.0 lb). They are arboreal, spending most of their time in the high canopy of the seasonal rainforests on the eastern side of the island. They are also diurnal, active exclusively in daylight hours. Quadrupedal locomotion is preferred in the trees and on the ground, and suspensory behavior is seen during feeding. As the most frugivorous of lemurs, the diet consists mainly of fruit, although nectar and flowers are also favored, followed by leaves and some seeds.

The black-and-white ruffed lemur has a complex social structure and is known for its loud, raucous calls.It is unusual in that it exhibits several reproductive traits typically found in small, nocturnal lemurs, such as short a gestation period, large litters and rapid maturation. In captivity, they can live up to 36 years. [Credit: Wikipedia]