The Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) is part of the lemuridae family. Lemurs first evolved about 50-65 million years ago, with their lineage splitting from other primates ~63 million years ago. Their average weight is 6 pounds, with females weighing a little less, and tails up to 2 feet long. They often live in groups of 6-30 individuals, called a troop. They have an average lifespan of 16 years. True to their name their tails have 13 rings of alternating white and black/brown stripes. They are native to south-west Madagascar, where they are found in severely fragmented populations in forests, and arid open shrublands.

There are only 8 remaining known populations that have more than 100 individuals. The Ring-Tailed Lemur is in a decline due to loss of area and quality of habitat, severe forest fragmentation, and unsustainable levels of capture for illegal pet trade and bushmeat hunting. This species needs increased conservation efforts because it is projected that Ring-tailed Lemurs will experience 63% habitat loss due to climate change alone. The population is already in decline due to other factors, and they cannot afford this additional pressure without our increased conservation efforts.