Name

Ring-tailed Lemur

Scientific Name

Lemur catta

Characteristics

The ring-tailed lemur is a primate with a long, bushy, black and white ringed tail. The tail is tipped with black and is longer than the total length of the head and body.

This lemur is a diurnal species and spends more time on the ground than any other lemur species. Males and females are similar in both appearance and body size.

Ring-tailed lemurs love to sunbathe on their backs with their arms outstretched. They often sleep with their nose tucked between their hind legs and their long tail curled over their backs.

Male ring-tailed lemurs compete for females via 'stink fights', smearing their scent on their tails and wafting the odour towards opponents. They also use their tail for balance, although they don't hang by them.

Diet

Their wild diet consists of fruit, leaves, flowers, bark and sap, as well as insects.

Size Fact

When born, a baby ring-tailed lemur weighs less than 100g.

Food Fact

They are even known to eat small vertebrates such as chameleons!

Fun Fact

In Latin, the word lemur means 'ghost' or ‘spirit’.

IUCN Red list

The ring-tailed lemur is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Where do I live?

The ring-tailed lemur is native to South and Southwest Madagascar.