Ring-tailed Lemur
In the wild
Scientific name: Lemur catta
Status: Classified as Vulnerable
Distribution: Madagascar
Type: Primate
Diet: Omnivore
At Marwell Wildlife
Ring-tailed lemurs are fed between 2-4 times a day on a diet of ‘Trio Munch’, a selection of vegetables and fruits, fresh browse and occasionally insects.
The outside exhibit within the lemur enclosure provides them with some natural foraging so they can eat grass, pollen, flowers and catch insects.
About Ring-tailed Lemurs
Impossible to confuse with any other species, the ring-tailed lemur has a distinctive long and bushy black and white ringed tail.
They are found in groups of up to 24 individuals. There is a well defined dominance hierarchy within these groups and females are dominant to males.
Their diet consists of fruit, leaves, flowers, bark and sap. They are particularly sociable, sunbathing in groups in characteristic yoga-like positions and they spend much of their time grooming each other.
Their long tails are a very important means of communication. The tail helps individuals to see each other when moving around on the ground and can also be used to settle differences. Scent from special glands on the inside of the arms is rubbed onto the lemur’s tail. Each individual will do this and then wave its tail high in the air in the direction of its opponent. The smelliest lemur will win the argument.
Numbers are decreasing in the wild due destruction of their habitat. Fires, over-grazing by livestock, tree-cutting for charcoal production and development have contributed to the severe changes on the island of Madagascar. The lemurs are still hunted in many areas and individuals are trapped and kept as pets.
Adopt a Ring-tailed Lemur from £50.00
Our General Adoption scheme includes all this:
- A special Adoption Certificate
- Recognition at your adopted animal's home
- A photo of a Ring-tailed Lemur
- A day pass to Marwell Wildlife
- An annual subscription to Marwell News
- Ring-tailed Lemur fact sheet
- Presentation folder
- Access to online Adopters Zone
- Car sticker
Want to help even more? Choose Premium Adoption below!