Origin- Like all lemurs, Ring-Tails come from the Island of Madagascar. They live in the deciduous forests and bush of South Western Madagascar.
Lifespan- In the wild they can live up to 18 years. The oldest lemur in captivity was 27 years old.
Diet- Ring-Tailed Lemurs are omnivores, feeding mostly on fruit, leaves, sap and some invertebrates or small birds during the dry season.
Description- This species is a relatively large lemur, averaging at 2.2kg. It’s tail is longer than its body, with alternating black and white stripes, always ending in black. They have very thick grey fur on their back and white on their chest. Lemurs have a dental comb; their lower incisors are arranged to brush through their fur for grooming. They are diurnal and often sunbathe, sitting with their arms spread open facing the sun. This species spends the most time on the ground compared to other lemurs. Ring-Tailed Lemurs live in large social groups, between 7-30 individuals. Females are the dominant sex, with one female in charge of the troop.
Conservation- The IUCN lists Ring-Tailed Lemurs as endangered. They have a large range but it is fragmented and their population density is low. Their population is declining due to habitat destruction, the bush meat industry and the exotic pet trade.
