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