Ring-tailed Lemur

Ring Tailed Lemur with a baby at Wingham Wildlife Park

Ring-tailed Lemur Natural History

Size

Adults may reach a body length of 46cm (18 in) and a weight of 5.5kg (12 Ib).
Its tail is longer than its body, at up to 56cm (22 in) in length.

Habitat and Distribution

Like all lemurs, the Ring-tailed Lemur is native only to Madagascar, they are found in southern and southwestern Madagascar and ranging further into highland areas than other lemurs.
The Ring-tailed Lemur inhabits deciduous forests, dry scrub, montane humid forests, and gallery forests (forests along riverbanks).

Age

Lifespan in captivity is about 30 years, and in the wild 16-19 years.

Diet

The Ring-tailed Lemur is an opportunistic omnivore (eats what is available), although it primarily eats fruits and leaves. However, they are known to eat from as many as 36 different plant species, also includes flowers, herbs, bark and sap.
They have been observed eating decayed wood, earth, spider webs, insect cocoons, arthropods (spiders, caterpillars, cicadas and grasshoppers), and small vertebrates (birds and chameleons).

Groups and Breeding

The troop sizes vary from 6-25, with 13-15 being the average and groups of over 30 individuals have been recorded.
Troop size, home range and population density vary by region and food availability.

The Ring-tailed Lemurs mate from mid-April to mid-May, with a gestation period of 135-145 days, having 1-2 offspring born in September.
The offspring are carried by the female ventrally (on the chest) for the first 1-2 weeks, then dorsally (on the back).
The offspring have a birth weight of 70g (2.5 oz), and begin to eat solid food after 2 months and are fully weaned after 5 months.

Threats

They are preyed upon by Madagascan boas, eagles and the fossa, but human activity is the greatest threat due to habitat destruction, with much of their range being cleared through annual burning to create pasture for livestock. This has resulted in them becoming listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

Interesting Facts

The Lemur’s trademark, a long, bushy tail, is ringed in 26 black and white rings. The tail always begins with a white stripe and ends with a black one.

The Ring-tailed Lemur During Your Day Out in Kent

The troop of Ring-tailed Lemurs at Wingham Wildlife Park can be seen opposite the tigers. Their names are Armi, Maki, Sid, Crash, Scruff and Monty. They have a walk-through enclosure where visitors can get face to face with these big characters. The opening times of the walk-through enclosure change depending on school holidays and day of the week but are advertised on the entrance to the enclosure. We have a Ring-tailed Lemur talk everyday in their enclosure at 2.45.

At the park their diet consists of vegetables, fruit, monkey pellets, lots of browse, and occasionally nuts, seeds and insects.