A lemur's soft, broad fingers and toes have flat nails that allow it to grip objects and groom other lemurs.

The lemur's thick bushy tail serves as a visual signal when it is threatened or as a balancing tool when it leaps through the trees.

Lemurs are loud! Its howl is one of the loudest animal calls in the Zoo.

Black and White Ruffed Lemur

Varecia variegata

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

The black and white ruffed lemur can grow up to four feet in length with a long tail, but weighs only weigh 8-10 pounds. Both males and females look the same, with black and white markings and a ruff, or fringe, of long white fur around their ears and neck. It has a long nose, and has a mane of thick hair on its neck.

HABITAT

The black and white lemur is found in the rain forests along the eastern coastal areas of Madagascar. It is primarily arboreal, which means you won’t see them down on the ground much—the only time they come down to feed is if they can’t find a meal in the trees.

DIET IN THE WILD

They have a diet of fruit, seeds, nuts, leaves, and occasionally they will sip on plant nectar.

BEHAVIOR

These lemurs live together in groups of 5-16. The group shares a common territory which they fiercely defend from neighboring lemur groups. Their characteristic loud call is used to warn foreigners or predators to stay away. Predators include eagles, boa constrictors and the fossa. Lemurs are a clean bunch. They’ll use their teeth to groom one another, and this behavior helps establish bonds within the group.

STATUS IN THE WILD / CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Black and white lemurs are a protected species because of the destruction of rain forests in Madagascar. They are also tracked by hunters and poachers for their meat, their fur, and to be trapped for pets. A large anti-poaching effort is underway in Madagascar.

LIFE SPAN

Black and white lemurs have been known to live for up to 25 years.