All information about the ring-tailed lemur

What is a ring-tailed lemur?

The ring-tailed lemur, also called the Lemur catta is a fairly large lemur. They belong to the family Lemuridae. This family consists of five different genera:

• Eulemur

  • White-headed lemur (Eulemur albifrons)

  • Grey-headed lemur (Eulemur cinereiceps)

  • Red-collared lemur (Eulemur collaris)

  • Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus)

  • Brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus)

  • Moormaki (Eulemur macaco)

  • Mongozmaki (Eulemur mongoz)

  • Red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer)

  • Eulemur rufifrons

  • Sanford's lemur (Eulemur sanfordi)

  • Blue-eyed lemur (Eulemur flavifrons)

  • Red-headed lemur (Eulemur rufus)

• Hapalemur (Half lemurs or Bamboo lemurs)

  • Alaotrabamboemaki (Hapalemur alaotrensis)

  • Golden half lemur (Hapalemur aureus)

  • Bamboemaki (Hapalemur meridionalis)

  • Sambirano bamboo lemur (Hapalemur occidentalis)

  • Gray half lemur (Hapalemur griseus)

• Prolemur

  • Broad-nosed half lemur (Prolemur simus)

• Lemur (Ring-tailed lemurs)

  • Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)

• Varecia (Vari's)

  • Pied vari (Varecia variegata)

  • Red vari (Varecia rubra)

Why does a ring-tailed lemur have a ringed tail?

The name of the ring-tailed lemur says enough about its tail: it has a black and white ringed tail. It is almost always 13 rings. This is how they keep their balance and let fellow group members know where they are. Thus, their tail is actually a kind of flag that rises above the grass.

Want to know more about the tail? In Ranger Request it is explained in detail!

What does a ring-tailed lemur look like?

The ring-tailed lemur can be recognized by its long, striped tail. This tail can grow up to sixty centimeters long! They have a long and pointed face. They have golden yellow eyes and a black nose. Ring-tailed lemurs do have unusual teeth. The bottom row of teeth are slightly forward and bent toward each other, allowing them to use their teeth this way when brushing. The teeth then actually serve as a kind of "cleaning comb. They live in groups of up to fifteen to twenty animals.

Sunning ring-tailed lemurs

To mark their territory, ring-tailed lemurs use scents. They use these to let other ring-tailed lemurs and animals know what their territory is. These scents come from scent glands. They have these scent glands on their buttocks, wrists and under their armpits. To carve scent into a tree, even the males have a kind of horn on each wrist gland. Sitting in the sun stimulates these scent glands. During mating season, these scent glands are also deployed. The males then hold so-called "stink fights" to determine who gets to mate with the female. They then rub their tails with their own scent and wave their tails in the direction of the other. The male that smells the loudest wins!

Reproduction

The female is dominant over the male and will eventually choose who she wants to mate with. The gestation period of ring-tailed lemurs is about 4.5 months. Usually one young is born, but it is possible to have two or even three young. The young are born with blue eyes! These later turn yellow. The first two weeks the young are carried on the belly. After these two weeks, it climbs on its mother's back. The young drink with their mother for five months. The males have little to no say in caring for the young.

What sound does a ring-tailed lemur make?

Ring-tailed lemurs make sounds to communicate with each other. The sound they make is somewhat similar to a cat's meow. Ring-tailed lemurs can also purr!

In Safaripark Beekse Bergen you can hear them very well! Do you hear them too?

The behavior of ring-tailed lemurs

Ring-tailed lemurs are very social animals. They live in groups of fifteen to twenty animals. In these, the females are in charge. Females stay in the same group all their lives while males move to other groups between the ages of two and five.

in the morning, the animals wake up and begin sunbathing. After sunbathing, they search for food. They are mostly active in the morning and evening. In the afternoon, they often rest. Ring-tailed lemurs sleep with the whole group together in their sleeping tree.

What do ring-tailed lemurs eat?

Ring-tailed lemurs are omnivores. This means they eat both plant and animal foods. Thus, they eat fruits, leaves and insects. They spend most of the day looking for food. Ring-tailed lemurs get a lot of water from their food, but also from dew and rainwater.

Beekse Bergen also hosts feeding presentations every day!

Sacred animals

at night it can cool off considerably in Madagascar. Ring-tailed lemurs are known for sunbathing in the morning. They then stand or lie with their bellies turned toward the sun and their arms extended. They are also called "sun worshippers. Because of this behavior, ring-tailed lemurs used to be considered sacred animals by the people of Madagascar.

What is the habitat of ring-tailed lemurs?

Ring-tailed lemurs are found only in the wild in Madagascar. They live in southwestern Madagascar. Do you know the movie Madagascar? That crazy King Julien is a ring-tailed lemur!

Want to know more about prosimians and lemurs in Madagascar? Ranger Stijn explains a bit more.

Enemies of the ring-tailed lemur

Ring-tailed lemurs live in large groups to protect themselves from predators, because together you are stronger! The enemies of the ring-tailed lemurs are snakes, cats, birds of prey and the fossa. Despite all these natural enemies, one enemy is still the greatest and that is us, humans.

Are ring-tailed lemurs endangered?

The ring-tailed lemur has an endangered status. Threats to these animals include hunting them for their meat, reducing their habitat due to deforestation and emerging agriculture in the habitat due to the growing population in Madagascar. They are also captured for keeping as pets.

The role of zoos is to preserve and protect of endangered species. European parks work closely with each other to achieve this goal and do so with an management program (EEP). The gorilla is also part of this. This is how a healthy reserve population is maintained. Find out more about species conservation and our role here here.

Conservation

Not only ring-tailed lemurs, but many of the species you see in our park are endangered and struggling in their native habitats. Did you know that worldwide more than 4,000 animal species threatened with extinction are endangered? Together we can help them, with big, or small steps. Want to know how? Then click here.

Wildlife Foundation

The Wildlife Foundation supports Lemur Rescue Center and IMPACT Madagascar, helping to protect ring-tailed lemurs in the wild. For example, confiscated ring-tailed lemurs are taken in and re-released when possible. IMPACT Madagascar also works with the population to combat problems such as deforestation, poverty and illegal trade. Want to know more about the Wildlife Foundation? Then clickhere.