Ring-Tailed Lemur

scientific name

Lemur catta

size

Height. 15-18"
Tail Length. 22-25"
Weight. 5-7½ lbs.

characteristics

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
Dominance. females dominant
Family. social
Group. 15-30
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/life span

Life span. max 18 yrs
Maturity. male 18 mo. " female 30 mos.
Gestation. 135 days
Birth. 1 " twins unusual " independent at 6 mos.

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

US Endangered " CITES App I " due to habitat destruction

other

lemur means "ghost" in native language of Madagascar " lemurs are prosimians (primitive primate)

zoo care

Oregon Zoo zoo keepers hand-feed fruit daily " all get enough " carefully checked for general health

oregon zoo exhibit

Primates