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Red Ruffed Lemur Fast Facts What do they look like? Red ruffed lemurs are one of two species of ruffed lemurs, separated from each other by the Antainambalana River in eastern Madagascar. Nearly identical to each other aside from coloration, red ruffed and black-and-white ruffed lemurs are named for the tufts of hair lining their ears and faces. Red ruffed lemurs have red coats with black faces, hands, feet, and tails. They often have patches of white on the back of the neck and the base of the tail. They have large, forward-facing eyes and fox-like muzzles. Ruffed lemurs are the largest of the lemur species, typically weighing 8-12 pounds. Their body length is approximately 20-22 inches, while their tails are around 24 inches long. How do they behave? Common Name: Red Ruffed Lemur Scientific Name: Varecia rubra Family: Lemuridae Order: Primates Class: Mammalia Range: Masoala Peninsula of northeastern Madagascar Red ruffed lemurs live in small family groups of up to eight individuals. They are a crepuscular, arboreal species, foraging mostly during dawn and dusk. Females are the dominant sex in the lemur hierarchy, a system unique to this suborder of prosimians. Females will defend their territory, choose their own mate, and have first access to foraging opportunities. Ruffed lemurs communicate through loud vocalizations which can be heard up to a mile away. The most common calls are alarm calls (which are even specific to predators by air verses predators by land) and locator calls (which are used to locate members of the troop). What’s on the menu? Red ruffed lemurs are frugivores, feeding primarily on fruit, although they also consume leaves, flowers, and nectar. Ruffed lemurs play an important ecological role in Madagascar. They cannot digest the seeds of the fruit they consume; therefore, the seeds are dispersed in their droppings, helping to replant vegetation throughout the region. At the Zoo, they eat specialized leaf-eater chow, fruits, and vegetables. How are they born? Habitat: Rainforests Lifespan: 15-20 years in the wild; over 30 years in captivity Conservation Status: Endangered Bonded pairs are believed to be monogamous among this species. Mating takes place from May to July, during the cooler, drier months in Madagascar. Toward the end of the gestation period, which lasts approximately 102 days, the female will build a nest for her young. Twins and triplets are most common; however, litters of six have been noted in captivity. Newborns are born fully furred with open eyes, though they do not have the strength yet to hold on to their mothers for travel. They will live in the nest for up to two weeks, at which time the mother will begin to carry them and “park” them in nearby trees while she forages. What can you do to help? Red ruffed lemurs, like all lemurs, are found only on the island of Madagascar where wild populations are steadily declining. Many species of lemurs are threatened or endangered due to deforestation and human predation for food. Education and conservation are crucial not only for this species’ survival, but for all the other wildlife found in Madagascar. To prevent habitat destruction, you can help by buying wood that is sustainably harvested, coffee that is shade grown, and produce that is grown locally. These products do not require the destruction of rainforests to grow crops.