Black-and-white ruffed lemur

Appearance

Their name says it all: black-and-white ruffed lemurs have black and white fur. Their face is completely black, just like their hands, feet, and tail. Furthermore, they have a white collar around their neck. Lemurs are prosimian primates. You can recognize them by their pointed nose with a wet tip. Their eyes face straight forward. Lemurs also have relatively long ears, which they can move independently. They possess special scent glands on their chest, which they use to leave their scent on branches and leaves, signalling their presence to others. Lemurs also have a unique grooming comb—the teeth in their lower jaw are shaped like a comb, allowing them to groom each other’s fur. They also have a specialized "toilet claw"—a long toenail that helps them scratch and clean themselves.

Habitat

In the wild, black-and-white ruffed lemurs live in the eastern forests of Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa. They primarily inhabit the trees of the tropical rainforest.

Lifestyle

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs live in groups of about 5 to 16 individuals. The females are the leaders of the group.

Behaviour

The most dominant females defend their territory by loudly screaming at other lemurs or intruders. Black-and-white ruffed lemurs also rub their scent glands against trees to mark their territory. This scent can linger for over a week! It provides information about the lemur, such as its age, gender, and whether it is looking for a mate.

Reproduction

With black-and-white ruffed lemurs, females are only fertile for about one day per year. So, males have to pay close attention when this time arrives! This mating day falls somewhere between May and July. At birth, the babies are extremely light—about 100 grams. The little ones are too weak to hold onto their mothers. Therefore, these lemurs are one of the few primates that build a nest for their offspring. The babies spend the first three weeks of their lives in this nest. The mother constructs it high up in the trees using branches and leaves, keeping the little ones safe from predators on the ground.

Situation in the Wild

Parts of Madagascar’s rainforest continue to disappear, threatening the habitat of black-and-white ruffed lemurs. As a result, their survival is at risk. On top of that, they are also being hunted.

Fun Facts

• It’s not unusual to see a black-and-white ruffed lemur hanging upside down in a tree—this position makes it much easier for them to reach their favorite snacks!
• Black-and-white ruffed lemurs love sunbathing in the early mornings. They sit with their arms spread wide or lie down facing the sun. Relatable?