Black-and-white ruffed lemur
Conservation Messaging Opportunities
Physical features
There are two species of ruffed lemurs, red ruffed and black-and-white ruffed. The two species are similar in shape, size, and behavior. Their color and location in Madagascar are their major differences.
Ruffed lemurs are the largest living members of the lemur family.
They weigh 8-11 pounds and their tails are about 2 feet long.
In addition to their opposable thumbs, their fingers and toes are capable of grasping, making them perfectly suited for a life in the trees.
Males and females are not sexually dimorphic; they look the same.
Range and Habitat
Range – eastern Madagascar
Habitat – upper canopy of the rainforest
Diet: Herbivore
Wild – fruit, leaves, flowers, nectar, seeds, and on rare occasion, animal matter
Zoo – leaf-eater biscuits, vegetables (including greens, cabbage, corn, yellow squash, carrots, cucumber, celery, sweet potato, and broccoli), and fruit (such as apple, pear, banana, grapes, mango, melon)
Lifespan
Wild – 15-20 years
Zoo – 20 years
Reproduction
Females can generally begin reproducing around 20 months of age.
Breeding season is seasonal and occurs over the winter months in the northern hemisphere (November through May), but is more from May through September in Madagascar.
Before giving birth, the female builds a nest of leaves and twigs high in the trees. She may even use fur from her own flanks to line the nest.
Gestation: 3 months
Up to 6 offspring are possible, but twins or triplets are most common.
Unlike other lemur species with one pair of mammary glands, ruffed lemurs have three pairs (six teats), allowing them to nurse all their offspring at once.
Young stay in the nest for about 3 weeks, but the mother may move the nest site several times. She carries the young in her mouth, as they are unable to cling to her back or stomach like most primate offspring.
Until young are on their own, the mother tends to stay with them towards the center of her home range.
Conservation: Critically Endangered
Major threats: Habitat destruction and logging, hunting
The majority of Madagascar’s forests have already been cleared. Land is required for agriculture, and trees are used for fuel and lumber.
Lemurs are also hunted and trapped for meat. An estimated 17 species of lemur are already extinct.
Interpretive Information
Lemurs seem to prefer the largest trees available, with the thickest trunks. However, these are usually the first that are cut.
References
Saint Louis Zoo (2005). Black and White Ruffed Lemur. Retrieved September 16, 2005, from: http://www.stlzoo.org/animals/abouttheanimals/mammals/lemursmonkeysapes/blackandwhiteruffedlem01.htm
San Francisco Zoo (2005). Black and White Ruffed Lemur. Retrieved September 16, 2005, from: http://www.sfzoo.org/cgi-bin/animals.py?ID=47
Wellington Zoo (2005). Black and White Ruffed Lemur. Retrieved September 16, 2005, from: http://www.wellingtonzoo.com/animals/animals/primates/black_and_white_ruffed_lemur.html
The Wild Ones (2000). Black and White Ruffed Lemur. Retrieved September 16, 2005, from: http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/bwlemur.html
Updated September 2005