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© Sedgwick County Zoo, credit: Jim Marlett

Red-Ruffed Lemur

Lemur variegatus rubra

Physical Characteristics

  • These primates have long, soft, thick, mostly red fur.There may be white markings on the limbs.The tail and belly are black. They get their name from the thick neck ruff or mane. The muzzle is fox-like.
  • Size of average adult
    • length: 1.5 - 2 feet (head and body)
    • weight: 7 - 10 pounds
  • Approximate life span is 18 years in captivity.

Diet

  • Wild: mainly fruit, also leaves, flowers, and even soil

Behavior

  • Crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk)
  • Arboreal (tree dwelling)
  • Variety of vocalizations
  • Groups of 2-5 individuals, usually mated pair and offspring
  • Usually mate for life
  • Female builds a nest where she stays with her infants for almost 2 week, may also carry them in her mouth
  • Reproduction
    • sexual maturity: female = 20 months
    • seasonal breeders
    • gestation: 90 - 102 days
    • litter size: over 1/2 births are twins, others are single or triplets
    • at 5 weeks youngsters can climb tops of trees, they are weaned at 4.5 months

Environmental/Global

  • Habitat: forest dwellers
  • Distribution: eastern Madagascar
  • Status: Endangered, CITES Appendix I
    • habitat destruction
    • poaching: meat, fur
    • commercial exportation

Conservation Efforts

  • Protective laws and enforcement
  • Education programs in Madagascar

Exhibited in: Boat Ride Islands
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