Range

Madagascar, off the coast of Africa is the native home of the black and white ruffed lemur. They are found along the east coast of the island. Three subspecies have been identified in their range.

A population has been introduced to the island of Nosy Mangabe in the Bay of Antongil.

Habitat

They make their home in tropical moist lowland and mountainous forests.

Reproduction

Mating takes place in early summer with most of the infants being born between September and October.

Twins are most common but litters up to six are possible. These infants and are born after a gestation period of approximately 102 days. Their short gestation means they are not as well developed as other juvenile primates and as such mom must pick them up and move them around.

Initially the young are deposited in a nest. These nests are constructed specifically for giving birth. Ruffed lemurs are the only diurnal (daytime active) primates which give birth in a nest.

By 3 weeks old they are already following their mother and exchanging calls.

Infant mortality is high and only around 1/3 infants make it past three months of age.

Young become independent by four months old and at 20 months old they are sexually mature.

Behavior

These animals are mostly arboreal with much of their day spent in the trees. They may hang upside down off just their feet to reach food.

Black and white ruffed lemurs form a group which can include between 8 and 16 individuals with a mixture of sexes. Females are the core of the group and they work to defend the territory. One name used for a group of lemurs is a 'congress.'

They are active by day when they will forage for food.

These lemurs communicate with one another using twelve calls. These include howls, barks and growls.

Much of their time is spent grooming over black and white ruffed lemurs.

Predators and Threats

The main natural predator of the black and white ruffed lemur is the fossa.

Humans present a major threat and numbers of these primates are thought to have declined by as much as 80%.

Black and white ruffed lemurs are among the most heavily hunted lemurs as they are one of the most expensive and desired meats. Habitat loss is also another major threat due to farming, logging and mining.

Another threat is natural disasters such as cyclones.

In 1997 a group of zoos and conservation groups worked to release five black and white ruffed lemurs in to the Betampona Reserve. These were followed by additional lemurs in 1998 and 2001 with six of the released animals going on to breed.

Quick facts

Black and white ruffed lemurs are the second loudest primate after the howler monkey.