Scientific Name: Lemur catta
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Body Length: 39–46 cm
Weight: 2.5–3.5 kg
Gestation: 134–138 days
Number of young: 1–2

Distribution: South and south-west Madagascar
Habitat: Dry brush and scrub, closed canopy forest.

Description: The Ring-tailed Lemur has a white face with a dark nose and eye patches. Its underbelly is whitish-grey and its upper fur is brown-grey to rosy-brown. The lemur’s tail is very distinctive with black and white rings all along its length, hence the name ‘ring-tailed’. Its tail is used for visual and scent communication.

Diet: Lemurs are herbivores and eat flowers, fruit, leaves, bark and sap.

In the wild: Ring-tailed Lemurs live in groups of 5–25 individuals with a core group of adult females. These females form a well-ordered hierarchy that dominates over males. Females remain in the group while males, once grown, move on to join other groups.

Threats: Habitat loss is a major threat to lemurs on the island of Madagascar. Lemurs are also caught and sold in the illegal pet trade.

At Perth Zoo: There are two groups of Ring-tailed Lemurs at the Zoo. Both groups live in the Lesser Primates area. One group is in a walk-through exhibit that allows for up close viewing twice each day at 10.15am and 2.00pm. Our two breeding lemurs are located in a separate exhibit in the Lesser Primate area.

Did you know? Ring-tailed Lemurs like to sunbathe. They sit in an upright position with their hands on their knees and face the sun.