Download Lemur Lane - Maryland Zoo

Lemur Lane
Interpretive Guide
Exhibit Theme: Biodiversity Conservation
Common Threats: Habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting, political unrest, collection for the
pet trade, and low reproduction rates threaten lemurs in Madagascar
Habitat loss and fragmentation: Activities such as slash and burn agriculture, and illegal
logging in Madagascar have severely impacted lemur habitat
Hunting: Many lemur species are hunted for food by local people
Political Unrest: Bans on illegal hunting and logging in protected areas have become
increasingly difficult to enforce following a change of power that occurred in 2009
Exhibit Conservation Messaging:
Madagascar is an island full of unique diversity, 80% of the species that reside there are
endemic (only found in Madagascar). This includes fossa, tenrecs, thousands of plant
species, and more than one hundred different species of lemur. There are also many
natural resources that are exported from Madagascar, such as wood and paper
products, coffee, cocoa, vanilla and cotton.
Conservation Asks:


Support the conservation efforts of organizations, like the MFG, who are working
in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat.
Everyone can help conserve habitat around the world by choosing products that
were grown and harvested in a sustainable way.
Conservation Partner: The Madagascar Flora and Fauna Group
The MFG works to help conserve species in Madagascar through captive breeding
programs, field research, training for rangers and wardens, and habitat protection in the
country of Madagascar.
Recommended Biofact: Red ruffed lemur jawbone
6/20/2016
Lemur Lane Interpretive Guide
The Maryland Zoo
Red Ruffed Lemur Jawbone
Recommended Biofact
Theme: Biodiversity: Unique lemur adaptations
Possible Hooks: Did you know that lemurs can groom themselves with their teeth? What do
you think lemurs use their teeth for? Take a look at the teeth in the front, why do you think
they look different from the rest?
Description: Lemurs have specialized front teeth on their lower jaw that forms a “toothcomb”
and serves as a grooming and feeding tool.
Toothcomb Structure: The toothcomb is composed of the lower canines and incisors
compressed from side to side, and slanted forward.
 Basic toothcomb structure across most Malagasy lemur families consists of 6 teeth
o 4 incisors, 2 canine
 Toothcomb structure for lemurs belonging to the family Indriidae (including sifaka)
consists of only 4 teeth
o 2 incisors, 2 canine
Fun Fact: The toothcomb is an adaptation that is unique to prosimians; they are only found in
lemurs and loris!
Sources: https://campuspress.yale.edu/bezamahafaly/files/2015/01/Cuozzo-and-Yamashita2006.pdf
6/20/2016
Red Ruffed Lemur Jawbone
The Maryland Zoo
Red Ruffed Lemur
Varecia variegata rubra
Description
 Size:
o Body length: 20-22 in (51-56 cm)
o Tail length: 23-26 in(60-65 cm)
 Weight: 7-10 lbs (3-4.5 kg)
 Physical Description: One of the largest lemur species, with a small body, long arms and
long tail. The majority of the body, legs and distinctive ear tufts are a deep chestnut
color. Other areas, including the feet, tail, face and muzzle are black. A large white patch
covers the back of the neck and sometimes extends onto the shoulders. The eyes are a
vibrant yellow.
 Sexual Dimorphism: Females are larger than males
In the Wild
Habitat and Range
 Range: Very restricted range, they are found only on the Masoala Peninsula of
northwest Madagascar
 Habitat: Lowland tropical rainforest
o Highly arboreal, typically found in the top layers of the forest canopy
Diet

Herbivorous: Primarily a frugivore, meaning that their diet consists mostly of fruit,
pollen and nectar.
o Also eats leaves and seeds, particularly during the dry season when food is
scarce
Adaptations
 Quadrapedal, meaning that they walk on all fours.
 Strong feet: Able to grasp hard to reach food items by suspending themselves from a
tree or branch, holding on with only their feet.
 Excellent sense of smell
 Large eyes with acute vision
 Large, independently moving ears allow for good hearing
 Specialized front teeth form a dental comb that is used as a tool for grooming and
feeding
Social Structure
 Group structure varies within their range
o In some areas of the Masoala Peninsula, red ruffed lemurs live in groups with 5-6
adult members.
6/20/2016
Red Ruffed Lemur
They Maryland Zoo
Red Ruffed Lemur
Varecia variegata rubra



o In other areas of the peninsula, red ruffed lemurs live in large communities of
18-32 members.
Groups are somewhat territorial; defends home range through scent marking and
occasionally displaying aggressive behavior.
Highly vocal – allows members of the group to maintain contact, advertise territory, and
warn of predators
Grooming: Social grooming is an important ritual among primates
o Lemurs groom each other for hygiene and to cement social bonds
Lifespan
 In the wild: Average around 15-20 years
 In captivity: Up to about 20 years
Ecosystem Relationships
 Pollinators: Red ruffed lemurs collect nectar by sticking their noses deep into flowers
and in doing so, their snout becomes coated with pollen. As they collect nectar from
different flowers, they transfer pollen from plant to plant.
 Predators: Fossas, birds of prey
Reproduction
 Breeding Season: May-July
 Behavior:
o Polygamous; males mate with more than one female
o Females go into estrus for only a few days during the breeding season and are
only fertile for one day
o Females give birth above the forest floor in well-constructed nests made of
twigs, leaves and mosses.
o Multiple individuals help to care for the young
 If the female needs to leave the nest, the male will stand guard nearby.
 Gestation period: about 3 ½ months
 Number of offspring: Up to 6 offspring per litter; 2-3 is most common
 Maturation:
o Unlike other lemur species, red ruffed lemurs are born in an underdeveloped
state.
 Infants stay in the nest for the first few weeks of life, after which their
parents carry them from site to site and are protected by males
o Infants develop rapidly; after 3-4 weeks they begin to follow their mother on
their own.
o Due to accidental falls and predation, infant mortality is quite high
6/20/2016
Red Ruffed Lemur
They Maryland Zoo
Red Ruffed Lemur
Varecia variegata rubra
Activity
 Diurnal; active during the day, rests at night
o Spend most of the day socializing and eating
Other “Fun Facts”
 Carefully managed lemur-related ecotourism can have a positive economic impact for
Madagascar since they are not found anywhere else in the world.
Threats and Conservation Status
 IUCN listed as Critically Endangered
 Threats:
o Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, slash and burn agriculture, and hunting are
the most serious threats
 All lemurs need intact forest ecosystems to find food and mates; habitat
loss and fragmentation can prevent lemurs from finding enough food,
and inhibit gene flow
o Decreasing population size paired with a naturally low reproduction rate can
further contribute to species being threatened with extinction.
o Political unrest in Madagascar has created conservation challenges for all
Malagasy species. Bans on illegal hunting and logging in protected areas are
increasingly difficult to enforce and many international aid organizations have
withdrawn support due to the unconstitutional change of power that happened
in 2009.
 Following several years of political deadlock, democratic elections
returned in 2013, although Madagascar remains politically unstable.
 Malagasy rosewood species are now listed on CITES Appendix II.
o The illegal pet trade is a problem for many prosimian species
At The Zoo

MZIB houses two red ruffed lemurs
o Shamus: Male, born 1996
o Ginny: Female, born 2009
What We Can Do

Make sure you know the origin of the products you buy
o Buying something imported illegally supports the black market by sustaining
demand
 Ex. Rosewood is still being illegally imported from Madagascar despite
bans on logging because people are still buying it
6/20/2016
Red Ruffed Lemur
They Maryland Zoo
Red Ruffed Lemur
Varecia variegata rubra



Do not support the illegal pet trade
o Despite their cute appearance, lemurs never make good pets. The illegal pet
trade contributes to the population decline of many prosimian species.
Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy, reduce litter and pollution.
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat. Learn more
about them, spread the word, and consider donating or getting involved.
o The Madagascar Fauna Group: The MFG works to help conserve species in
Madagascar through captive breeding programs, field research, training for
rangers and wardens, and habitat protection
References and Additional Resources








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The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22920/0
The Maryland Zoo website: http://www.marylandzoo.org/animalsconservation/mammals/red-ruffed-lemur/
Mittermeier, R.A., et al. (2010). Lemurs of Madagascar 3rd Edition. Arlington, VA:
Conservation International.
The University of Michigan’s Animal Diversity Web:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Varecia_rubra/
The University of Wisconsin’s Primate Info Net:
http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/ruffed_lemur
Garbutt, N. (1999). Mammals of Madagascar. Yale University Press.
http://lemur.duke.edu/discover/meet-the-lemurs/red-ruffed-lemur/
https://campuspress.yale.edu/bezamahafaly/files/2015/01/Cuozzo-and-Yamashita2006.pdf
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13861843
https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/field/field_document/20150
326RosewoodMadagascar.pdf
6/20/2016
Red Ruffed Lemur
They Maryland Zoo
Ring-tailed Lemur
Lemur catta
Description



Size:
o Head-body length: 15-18 inches (39-46 cm)
o Tail length: 22-25 in (56-63 cm)
Weight: 5-7.7 lbs (2.3-3.5 kg)
Physical Description: An average-sized lemur, often described as cat or raccoon-like in
appearance. The tail is longer than the body and is distinctive, with alternating black and
white bands. Fur on the body and legs ranges in color from gray to grey-brown; the
under belly and face are white, with dark patches around the eyes and snout.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range


Range: Southern and southwestern Madagascar
Habitat: Varies between spiny thickets, dry shrubland and deciduous forest
o Broad tolerance for ecological conditions:
 Found in both the coldest and hottest areas of Madagascar
 Able to survive harsh seasonal conditions, such as drought and food
scarcity
Diet

Omnivorous: Primarily eats fruit, but diet varies with habitat and season
o Also eats leaves, flowers, bark, sap, and occasional small vertebrates and
invertebrates
o Obtains water from succulent plants in the more arid regions of their range
o The tamarind tree can compose as much as 50% of their diet; it provides a
reliable year-round source of food as it produces fruits, sap and leaves at
different times throughout the year.
Adaptations


Good climbers and leapers
o Spends a good deal of time in trees, but are the most terrestrial (grounddwelling) of all lemur species
Thermoregulation: Frequently sun themselves by sitting upright and resting their
forearms on their knees
6/20/2016
Ring-tailed Lemur
The Maryland Zoo
Ring-tailed Lemur
Lemur catta

o Exposes underside to sunlight and is thought to aid in thermoregulation
o Often observed on cold mornings or following cold nights
Specialized front teeth form a dental comb that is used as a tool for grooming and
feeding
Social Structure





Live in groups up to 25 individuals, although 13-15 is average
Groups consist of related adult females, unrelated males, and offspring
o Females are dominant to males, have a dominance hierarchy, and remain with
the troop their entire life
o Males leave the troop and will often travel in pairs or trios until they can
integrate into a new group
 When integrating into a new group, young males will challenge the
resident males for breeding rights
Troops are territorial and will scent mark and fight to defend their territory, although
territories sometimes overlap
o Dominant females are responsible for territory defense; they confront members
of other groups by staring, lunging and physical aggression
As in many primates, social grooming is important lemurs groom each other for hygiene
and to cement social bonds. ;
Communicate through a variety of vocalizations and calls
Lifespan


In the wild: 16-19 years
In captivity: Up to 27 years
Ecosystem relationships




Predators: Both adults and juveniles are eaten by fossas
o Juveniles are also eaten by several raptor species
Domestic cats introduced to Madagascar are known to predate ring tailed lemurs
Humans also hunt them for food
Seed dispersal: As their diet consists of fruits and other plant material, it is likely that
they aid in seed dispersal
Reproduction

Breeding season: April-May
6/20/2016
Ring-tailed Lemur
The Maryland Zoo
Ring-tailed Lemur
Lemur catta




Behavior:
o “Stink fights”: Males compete with each other for breeding rights by wafting
their scent in the direction of opposing males.
 The male will rub scent from glands on his tail, drawing the tail under his
body and between his legs, he will then quickly pull his tail back and up
and over his head, shaking it and wafting his scent toward the rival male
 These scent displays are usually all that is needed to establish rank,
although physical aggression may occur
o Females often look after or switch infants, form play groups and even allow
infants other than their own to nurse.
o Females typically go into estrus within two weeks of each other, and all of the
newborn lemurs in a troop will be born within a few days of each other
Gestation period: 4-4.5 months
Number of offspring: 1-2 young, a single offspring is most common
Maturation:
o During the first few weeks, the infant clings to the mother’s front, and then
transfers to riding on her back
o Reproductively mature after 3 years, and generally reproduce annually
Activity

Diurnal: Active during the day
Other “Fun Facts”

Ring-tailed lemurs are the most well-studied of lemur species
Conservation Status and Threats



IUCN listed as Endangered
Populations are decreasing (reduction of 20-25% over the past 24 years)
Threats:
o Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, slash and burn agriculture, and hunting are
the most serious threats
 All lemurs need intact forest ecosystems to find food and mates; habitat
loss and fragmentation can prevent lemurs from finding enough food,
and inhibit gene flow
o Decreasing population size paired with a naturally low reproduction rate can
further contribute to species being threatened with extinction. Political unrest in
Madagascar has created conservation challenges for all Malagasy species. Bans
6/20/2016
Ring-tailed Lemur
The Maryland Zoo
Ring-tailed Lemur
Lemur catta
on illegal hunting and logging in protected areas are increasingly difficult to
enforce and many international aid organizations have withdrawn support due
to the unconstitutional change of power that happened in 2009.
 Following several years of political deadlock, democratic elections
returned in 2013, although Madagascar remains politically unstable.
 Malagasy rosewood species are now listed on CITES Appendix II.
o The illegal pet trade is a problem for many prosimian species, including ring
tailed lemurs
At the Zoo




MZIB holds two ring-tailed lemurs:
o Alexander: Male, born 2005
o Fern: Female, born 2007
The pair arrived at the Zoo in 2013 from Duke Lemur Center
They are housed outdoors and are on exhibit during the warmer months of the year
During the winter, they are housed indoors and are not viewable by the public
What We Can Do




Make sure you know the origin of the products you buy
o Buying something imported illegally supports the black market by sustaining
demand
 Ex. Rosewood is still being illegally imported from Madagascar despite
bans on logging because people are still buying it
Do not support the illegal pet trade
o Despite their cute appearance, lemurs never make good pets. The illegal pet
trade contributes to the population decline of many prosimian species.
Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy, reduce litter and pollution.
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat. Learn more
about them, spread the word, and consider donating or getting involved.
o The Madagascar Fauna Group: The MFG works to help conserve species in
Madagascar through captive breeding programs, field research, training for
rangers and wardens, and habitat protection
References and Additional Resources

ARKive: http://www.arkive.org/ring-tailed-lemur/lemur-catta/
6/20/2016
Ring-tailed Lemur
The Maryland Zoo
Ring-tailed Lemur
Lemur catta
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Duke Lemur Center: http://lemur.duke.edu/discover/meet-the-lemurs/ring-tailedlemur/
IUCN: Lemurs of Madagascar: A Strategy for their Conservation 2013-2016. Schwitzer et
al. 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.primatesg.org/storage/pdf/Lemurs_of_Madagascar_Strategy_for_Their_Conservation_2013201
6_low_res.pdf
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/11496/0
Mittermeier, R.A., et al. (2010). Lemurs of Madagascar 3rd Edition. Arlington, VA:
Conservation International.
Ring Tailed Lemur Species Survival Plan:
http://www.ringtailedlemurssp.org/default.html
The University of Michigan’s Animal Diversity Web:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Lemur_catta/
The University of Wisconsin’s Primate Info Net:
http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/ring-tailed_lemur
6/20/2016
Ring-tailed Lemur
The Maryland Zoo
Coquerel’s Sifaka:
Propithecus verreauxi coquereli
Description




Size:
o Head and Length: 9-22 in (70-100 cm)
o Tail Length: 20-23 in (50-58 cm)
Weight: 8-13 lbs (4-6 kg)
Physical Description: A large lemur with vivid, yellow eyes. Fur on the head, body and tail is
white, with dark maroon patches across the chest, thighs and arms. Ears and face are black,
framed with white fur on the cheeks and nose bridge.
Sexual Dimorphism: Males possess a scent gland on their throat that may stain the surrounding
skin and hair
In the Wild
Habitat and Range


Range: Northwestern Madagascar
Habitat: Tropical dry deciduous and semi-evergreen forest
Diet

Herbivorous: Primarily a folivore, meaning that their diet mainly consists of leaves.
o Also eats flowers, fruit, bark, and dead wood
Adaptations






Highly arboreal: Most of their time is spent in the canopy of the forest
Powerful hind legs: Sifakas use their hind legs to leap from tree to tree
o Use a unique method of locomotion known as “vertical clinging and leaping”; unlike
other lemur species, sifakas maintain an upright posture as they move from tree to tree
and then cling to the prospective tree or branch
o When on the ground, Coquerel’s sifakas use their strong legs to run and hop sideways.
Large eyes with acute vision
Keen sense of smell
Large, independently moving ears allow for good hearing
Specialized front teeth form a dental comb that is used as a tool for grooming and feeding
Social structure




Live in groups ranging from 3-10 individuals; a group of 4-5 members is most common.
Matriarchal society: Females are dominant to males and get preferential access to food and
mates
Females typically stay with the group their entire lives, males may change groups several times
Non-territorial: Overlapping groups rarely display aggression towards each other; more likely to
partake in mutual avoidance.
6/20/2016
Conquerel’s Sifaka
The Maryland Zoo
Coquerel’s Sifaka:
Propithecus verreauxi coquereli
Lifespan


In the wild: Unknown
In captivity: Up to about 18 years
Ecosystem relationships


Predators: Fossas and birds of prey
Seed dispersers: As their diet consists of leaves and other plant material, it is likely that they aid
in seed dispersal.
Reproduction





Breeding Season: January - February
Behavior:
o Polyandrous: Females mate with more than one male per breeding season; it is thought
that this helps to confuse paternity assessment and reduce infanticide by males.
Gestation: About 5 months
Number of Offspring: Typically gives birth to 1 offspring
Maturation:
o During the first few weeks, the infant clings to the mother’s front, and then transfers to
riding on her back for 5 to 6 months.
o Typically independent by 6 months
o Fully grown at 1 year
Activity

Diurnal: Active during the day, rests at night
o During the wet season, feeding occurs through the early morning and evening hours.
o During the dry season, feeding occurs midday.
Other “Fun Facts”



In some areas, local traditions prohibit hunting of sifakas, but these long-held taboos are
changing with immigration to the area and a change in the local culture
They are named after their unique vocalization: “Shif-auk”, which is used as an alarm call.
Can leap distances of more than 20ft between trees
Conservation Status and Threats


IUCN listed as Endangered
Threats:
6/20/2016
Conquerel’s Sifaka
The Maryland Zoo
Coquerel’s Sifaka:
Propithecus verreauxi coquereli
o
o
o
Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, slash and burn agriculture, and hunting are the
most serious threats
 All lemurs need intact forest ecosystems to find food and mates; habitat loss
and fragmentation can prevent lemurs from finding enough food, and inhibit
gene flow
Decreasing population size paired with a naturally low reproduction rate can further
contribute to species being threatened with extinction. Political unrest in Madagascar
has created conservation challenges for all Malagasy species. Bans on illegal hunting and
logging in protected areas are increasingly difficult to enforce and many international
aid organizations have withdrawn support due to the unconstitutional change of power
that happened in 2009.
 Following several years of political deadlock, democratic elections returned in
2013, although Madagascar remains politically unstable.
 Malagasy rosewood species are now listed on CITES Appendix II.
The illegal pet trade is a problem for many prosimian species
At the Zoo

MZIB holds three sifaka:
o Anastasia: Female, born 2004
o Gratian: Male, born 2002
o Leo: Female, born 2014
What We Can Do


Make sure you know the origin of the products you buy
o Buying something imported illegally supports the black market by sustaining demand
 Ex. Rosewood is still being illegally imported from Madagascar despite bans on
logging because people are still buying it
Do not support the illegal pet trade
o Despite their cute appearance, lemurs never make good pets. The illegal pet trade
contributes to the population decline of many prosimian species.

Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy, reduce litter and pollution.

Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat. Learn more about
them, spread the word, and consider donating or getting involved.
o The Madagascar Fauna Group: The MFG works to help conserve species in Madagascar
through captive breeding programs, field research, training for rangers and wardens,
and habitat protection
6/20/2016
Conquerel’s Sifaka
The Maryland Zoo
Coquerel’s Sifaka:
Propithecus verreauxi coquereli
References and Additional Resources









ARKive: http://www.arkive.org/coquerels-sifaka/propithecus-coquereli/
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18355/0
The Maryland Zoo website: http://www.marylandzoo.org/animalsconservation/mammals/coquerels-sifaka/
Mittermeier, R.A., et al. (2010). Lemurs of Madagascar 3rd Edition. Arlington, VA: Conservation
International.
The University of Michigan’s Animal Diversity Web:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Propithecus_coquereli/
Garbutt, N. (1999). Mammals of Madagascar. Yale University Press.
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/sifaka/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wendy_Wood/publication/232822307_Environment_tim
euse_and_adaptedness_in_prosimians_Implications_for_discerning_behavior_that_is_occupati
onal_in_nature/links/544536b60cf2f14fb80ef696.pdf
https://campuspress.yale.edu/bezamahafaly/files/2015/01/Cuozzo-and-Yamashita-2006.pdf
6/20/2016
Conquerel’s Sifaka
The Maryland Zoo