Ring-tailed Lemur

Facts

IUCN NEAR THREATENED (NT)

Facts about this animal

The ring-tailed lemur is easily recognized by its dense light grey fur, grey and white face with dark rings around the eyes, and ringed tail. The head-body length is about 50 cm, and also the tail is 50 cm long. The weight ranges from 3.5 zo 6 kgs. There is no marked sexual dimorphism.

Ring-tailed lemurs are social animals living in large groups averaging 18 members. Like in most lemur species, females are dominant to males.

Mothers give birth once a year and twins are not uncommon. Female offspring stay in their birth group; males leave when they are three to five years old.

Did you know?
that young ring-tailed lemurs are born with blue eyes that will gradually change colour as the animals mature?

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	PRIMATES
Suborder	PROSIMIA
Family	LEMURIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Lemur catta
Name (English)	Ring-tailed Lemur
Name (French)	Maki catta
Name (German)	Katta
Name (Spanish)	Lemur colianillado
Local names	Malagasy: Maki, hira
CITES Status	Appendix I
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Yummifruitbat

Distribution

Distribution
Range	South and south-west Madagascar
Habitat	Dry forst and shrubland
Wild population	No precise data, estimated at 10,000-100,000 individuals by IUCN.
Zoo population	1869 reported to ISIS (2006)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 31 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Chester Zoo

Why do zoos keep this animal

Ring-tailed lemurs, being social, diurnal, and appealing looking, are a perfect ambassador species for the threatened fauna and habitats of Madagascar. The ring-tailed lemur is also a species which can be displayed in "Walk-thru" exhibits, allowing for close encounters between animals and people. The public should, however, not be allowed to feed the animals.

How this animal should be kept

Ring-tailed lemurs are social animals and should be kept in pairs or family groups. In spacious exhibits with natural vegetation they can be associated with other lemur species.

In temperate and cold climates, white-fronted lemurs must have both an indoor and an outdoor enclosure. Minimum requirements: indoors surface 15 m², height 2.5 m, room temperature at least 15°C, in places higher (radiators). The day phase should be around 12 hours. Vertical and horizontal climbing opportunities, horizontal benches or platforms allowing the group to sit together in close contact, sleeping boxes in the upper part of the enclosure. There should be two nesting boxes per breeding female. Outdoor enclosures must have a size of at least 40 m², height 2.5 m, but preference should be given to larger exhibits with a grass cover, bushes and live trees in addition to dead trees, ropes, climbing frames etc.

Food should be offered at least three times per day, It should consist of a variety of fruit and vegetables, branches in leaf as well as some animal protein.