Ring-tailed Lemur - Five Sisters Zoo

Ring-tailed Lemurs are endemic to Madagascar (found only on that island) with individuals having a grey-to-brown coat and white fur on their neck, chest, abdomen, hands, and feet. They have white faces with dark eye patches around their eyes and black muzzles. Their long tail, which can grow up to 60 centimetres, has alternating black and white fur bands. Unlike other lemur species, the Ring-tailed spends much of its time foraging for food and traveling from place to place on the ground rather than through the trees.

Five Sisters Zoo was home to Stumpy the Ring-Tailed Lemur for 20 years before his passing and he holds the Guinness World Record for Oldest Lemur in Captivity at 39 years of age.

Facts

Diet: Herbivores; fruit, leaves, bark and tree sap. Some lemurs have been observed eating invertebrates as well.

Weight:  2.2-2.7 kg

Length: 1m including tail

Habitat: Madagascar; only a portion of the southern end of the island in forest and shrubland.

Life span: 16 to 19 years in the wild, over 20 years in captivity

Adapted to Survive

  • Their tail is used to signal other lemurs while on the ground, giving direction and identifying threats
  • Individuals live in groups of 6-30 individuals called troops, providing protection and support

Threats

  • Habitat loss due to deforestation and climate change
  • Severely fragmented populations
  • Poaching
  • Pet trade

IUCN Conservation Status

Eandangered

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