Ring-tailed Lemur
Ring-tailed Lemur Scientific Name: Lemur catta Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Physical Adaptations: Have black rings around their otherwise white tails Move quadrupedally (on all fours) Have nails; 2nd toe has a grooming claw Have powerful scent glands on wrists and chest to mark territory
Behavioral Adaptations: Diurnal (active during the daytime) Live in social groups called troops with numbers ranging from 3 to 30 individuals Females are dominant in the troops Social bonds are established and reinforced by grooming
Habitat/Biome: deciduous forests, rainforest, bush habitat
DISTRIBUTION: southern and southwestern Madagascar; additional population in the southeastern plateau of the Andringitra mountains, in Madagascar
Status: population trend, decreasing Special Notes: IUCN Category: Near threatened CITES Listing: ll Threats Include: Habitat destruction
Primary Diet: Wild: Fruit, leaves, flowers, tree bark and sap HERBIVORE
Fun Facts: During mating season, male lemurs battle for dominance by trying to out-stink each other; cover their long tails with smelly secretions and wave them in the air to determine which animal is more powerful Ring-tailed lemurs are one of the most vocal primates. They have several alarm calls to alert members of their group to potential danger
Additional Notes: Gestation: 135 days Weight: 5-8 lbs. Life Span: 30 years in captivity Information Sources (02/2011) Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Animals Facts World Conservation Society Red List Animal Diversity Web site UN of Michigan Museum of Zoology
Behavioral Adaptations: Diurnal (active during the daytime) Live in social groups called troops with numbers ranging from 3 to 30 individuals Females are dominant in the troops Social bonds are established and reinforced by grooming
Habitat/Biome: deciduous forests, rainforest, bush habitat
DISTRIBUTION: southern and southwestern Madagascar; additional population in the southeastern plateau of the Andringitra mountains, in Madagascar
Status: population trend, decreasing Special Notes: IUCN Category: Near threatened CITES Listing: ll Threats Include: Habitat destruction
Primary Diet: Wild: Fruit, leaves, flowers, tree bark and sap HERBIVORE
Fun Facts: During mating season, male lemurs battle for dominance by trying to out-stink each other; cover their long tails with smelly secretions and wave them in the air to determine which animal is more powerful Ring-tailed lemurs are one of the most vocal primates. They have several alarm calls to alert members of their group to potential danger
Additional Notes: Gestation: 135 days Weight: 5-8 lbs. Life Span: 30 years in captivity Information Sources (02/2011) Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Animals Facts World Conservation Society Red List Animal Diversity Web site UN of Michigan Museum of Zoology
