Ring-Tailed Lemur

Ring-Tailed Lemur. Lemur catta. , Characteristics: Ring-tailed Lemurs are neither a monkey nor an ape but instead belong to a primitive group of primates called Prosimians. Easily identified by it's black and white ringed tail, the Ring-tailed Lemur is a small primate with a brownish gray hair coat, white belly and masked eyes. One of the most vocal primates, Ring-tailed Lemurs have many different calls and vocalizations that they use to communicate with. Unlike other arboreal Lemur species, the Ring-tails form a matriarchal society where dominant females rule the troops. Known as sun worshipers, Ring-tails will often sit in a "yoga pose" with their arms down and their bellies exposed to the sun., Habitat: Dry scrub, spiny and deciduous forest, nearby rocky mountain outcrops and gallery forest along rivers., Diet: Fruits, leaves, flowers, bark and sap., Conservation: Only found in Madagascar the ring-tailed lemur is endangered due to habitat loss, hunting and the pet trade. Breeding programs in zoos will help sustain a viable population but conservation of habitat is necessary for its survival., Range: South and south-western Madagascar from Tolagnaro to south of Morondava and inland as far as Ambalavao., Stats:

Life Span: 15 years (wild), 25 years (captivity). , Size: Body length 36 - 46 cm. (15 - 18 in.). Tail length 56 - 62 cm. (22 - 24 in.) , Weight: 3-3.5 kg. (6.6 - 7.7 lbs.) , Gestation: 135 days, 1 infant.

, Did You Know? , Ring-tailed Lemurs have exactly 13 alternating black and white on their tail!