{"id":8080,"date":"2023-05-09T08:30:47","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T06:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rigazoo.lv\/?post_type=animal&p=8080"},"modified":"2026-04-17T12:09:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T10:09:38","slug":"ring-tailed-lemur","status":"publish","type":"animal","link":"https:\/\/rigazoo.lv\/en\/animals\/ring-tailed-lemur\/","title":{"rendered":"Ring-tailed Lemur"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Taxonomy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0 Phylum: Chordata \u2013 chordates
\u25a0 Class: Mammalia \u2013 mammals
\u25a0 Order: Primates \u2013 primates
\u25a0 Family: Lemuridae \u2013 lemurs (Ring-tailed Lemur and allies)
\u25a0 Species:\u00a0Lemur catta<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 Ring-tailed Lemur<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conservation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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\n IUCN Red List: Endangered <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n
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\n CITES I <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n
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\n EEP (EAZA Ex-situ Programme) <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n\n

Distribution and habitat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Found only in the southwestern part of Madagascar, with a small population also in the southeast. They inhabit dry and mountain forests, rainforests, as well as shrublands and mangrove forests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ring-tailed lemurs are highly adaptable to different environments. They can be found in both the hottest and driest, as well as the coldest regions of Madagascar.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Adaptions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ring-tailed lemurs are about 45 centimeters long. The tail is longer than the body \u2014 about 55 centimeters. They weigh between 2 and 3 kilograms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ring-tailed lemurs are the most famous lemur species, easily recognized by their black-and-white striped tails. Unlike many other primates that use their tails for grasping branches, lemurs use theirs for balance and communication. Males use their tails in unique \u201cstink fights\u201d \u2014 to see whose tail smells stronger!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The species is called the ring-tailed lemur because its first describers thought its sounds and movements resembled those of a domestic cat. Ring-tailed lemurs can be active at any time of day, but during cold nights, they prefer to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ring-tailed lemurs are herbivores. They spend much of their time on the ground, feeding on fruits, leaves, flowers, and plant sap. When food is scarce, such as during the dry season, they may also eat insects and small vertebrates, such as bird chicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ring-tailed lemurs live in groups ranging from 6 to 30 individuals, usually led by a dominant female. They breed once a year, in April. Since the seasons in Madagascar are opposite to those in Latvia, this timing ensures that the young are born in late winter \u2014 around August or September. In zoos, this cycle may shift, adapting to the local conditions where the lemurs live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, a single baby is born, twins are less common. After birth, the young cling to their mother\u2019s belly or back for 3 to 4 weeks. They then gradually begin to explore their surroundings, always returning to their mother to nurse or sleep until they are about 5 to 6 months old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conservation and threats<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lemur populations face serious threats in the future. They are also affected by illegal hunting, as they are captured for sale to private collections. If you ever wish to get an exotic pet, always make sure it comes from a legal and ethical source!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their habitat is being severely fragmented due to deforestation. Models based on climate change projections for Madagascar suggest that lemurs could lose more than 60% of their natural habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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References:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.iucnredlist.org\/species\/11496\/115565760 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/animal\/ring-tailed-lemur <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ring-tailed Lemur<\/a><\/blockquote>