Red Ruffed Lemur - Jersey Zoo 01

Red Ruffed Lemur - Jersey Zoo 02

Red Ruffed Lemur - Jersey Zoo 03

Red Ruffed Lemur - Jersey Zoo 04

Red Ruffed Lemur

Varecia v. Rubra

RANGE: N.E. Madagascar

HABITAT: Rain Forest

SIZE: Body 2 feet Tail 2 feet

DIET: Mainly fruit, also leaves and flowers

CONSERVATION STATUS: Endangered. Declining in numbers due to  habitat destruction, hunting, and commercial exportation. Loss of forest e.g. to charcoal burning, loss to predators. Around 200 in captivity worldwide.

NOTES: Tree dweller however feeling safe in captivity they are often on the ground. Long, soft, thick, mostly reddish fur. There may be white markings behind the neck on the limbs and tail. The tail and belly are black. They get their name from the thick neck ruff or mane. Usually mate for life. Do not mix with Black and White Ruffed Lemurs in wild. Gerald Durrell described them as being "gaudy as banners.".  Ruffed lemur mothers  - uniquely  amongst lemurs - will leave their offspring in a tree branch or in a nest, whilst foraging for food.

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