 Ring-Tailed
Lemur
scientific
name
Lemur
catta
size/height/weight
Height:
15 - 18"
Tail Length: 22 - 25"
Weight: 5 - 7.5 lbs.
adaptations/coloration
Digits:
end in pads • have nails (except 2nd toe - has grooming claw)
Eyes: forward facing • binocular vision (as with all other primates)
Feet, Soles &Palms: long • smooth • leathery • good
grip on slippery rocks
Legs: hindlegs longest
behavior
diurnal
Group: 15-30
Family: social
Females: dominant
Scent Glands: smear tails with secretions & wave at opponents during
ritual fights (male only)
Territory: well-defined • don't overlap
Travel: on ground (unusual for lemurs)
reproduction/lifespan
Lifespan:
max 18 yrs
Maturity: male 18 months • female 30 months
Gestation: 135 days
Birth: 1 • twins unusual • independent at 6 months
diet
Wild: flowers,
fruit & leaves
Zoo: Monkey Chow, fruit & vegetables
habitat/range
deciduous
forest • scrubby areas • unique to Madagascar (endemic) •
evolved when Madagascar separated from Africa leaving few competitors/predators
• different from other African primates
status
U.S. Endangered
• CITES App I • due to habitat destruction • SSP
other
lemur means
"ghost" in native language of Madagascar • lemurs are
prosimians (primitive primate)
zoo care
Oregon
Zoo keepers hand-feed fruit daily so that all get enough. They are carefully
checked for general health
oregon
zoo exhibit
Primates
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