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Ring-tailed Lemur

Lemur catta

Range

Madagascar

Habitat

they prefer gallery forests and euphorbia bush habitats

Distinguishing Characteristics

Ring-tails have white faces with triangular black markings around their eyes. They have a ringed pattern of black fur on their white tails, hence the name “ring-tailed”.

Dietary Classification

Diet in the Zoo: spinach, grapes, sweet potato, primate browse biscuits, high fiber diet sticks

Diet in the Wild: plants, leaves, flowers, fruit, sap, and bark

Life Span

Can live more than 30 years in captivity. Generally live several years less in the wild.

Behavior/Adaptations

* Lemurs are social animals that will live in groups of 12 to 24 individuals. The females are dominant over the males.
* Lemurs will engage in “stink battles” where secretions from scent glands are rubbed on the tail and wafted at opposing animals.
* Lemurs often sunbathe in the morning hours before feeding. They will sit upright with their front legs resting on their hind legs, exposing the stomach to the sun
 

Status

Threatened due to habitat loss (overgrazing by livestock & tree cutting).

Classification

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family	Genus	Species
Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Primates	Lemuridae	Lemur	catta