BLACK-AND-WHITE RUFFED LEMURVarecia variegata
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Listed as Critically Endangered as the species is suspected to have undergone a population decline of ≥80% over a period of 21 years (three generations), primarily due to observed and inferred continuing decline in area, extent and quality of habitat from slash-and-burn agriculture, logging and mining, in addition to exploitation through unsustainable hunting pressure. These causes have not ceased, and will to a large extent not be easily reversible
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Color:
The ruffed lemurs are the largest of the lemurs, and the fur of the black-and-white ruffed lemurs is blotches of pure black or white. In the north, they will sport more black, and in the south more white. The face and top of the head are black and they have bright yellow eyes and a white ruff around the face. The hands, feet, and tail are also usually black.
Size:
Head and body length of 50-55 cm and a tail length of 60-65 cm
Weight:
3-4.5 kg (6.6-9.9 lbs.)
Average Lifespan:
19 years in the wild.
Captive Lifespan:
Upwards of 19 years.
There are 3 subspecies and they are found within the eastern part of Madagascar in patches of land.
Primary and secondary lowland and mid-altitude rainforests
Mating:
Seasonally between May and July
Gestation/Incubation:
102 days on average
Litter/Clutch Size:
2-3 offspring (up to 6) born in September and October. Females can nurse up to 6 infants simultaneously
Mature:
By 3-4 weeks the babies can attempt to follow their mother. The young are independent at 4 months and reach sexual maturity around 20 months.
Their diet consists of fruit, seeds, leaves, and nectar (which it eats using its long snout and tongue). The ruffed lemur is considered a specialized frugivore (fruit eater).
They are primarily active in the early morning and late afternoon. The Ruffed Lemur will travel by walking or running on branches and leaping from tree to tree. Females head groups and will defend their territories.
1. They have deep, barking alarm calls used to defend their territory.
2. Due to its diet of nectar, this lemur has developed a close relationship with the traveler’s tree. They get nectar from the tree’s flowers and help distribute pollen to other trees. Because of this, the Ruffed Lemurs are the largest pollinators in the world.
3. These Lemurs give birth in nests made 10-20 meters above the ground. Because of this, there is a high mortality rate (65% due to accidental falls and related injuries.)
4. When infants are born, they are not able to grip their mother, so must be carried. As such, the mother can only transport one baby at a time.
5. They commonly exhibit suspensory movement, meaning they are adept at hanging from their feet.