Ring-tailed lemurs

Lemur catta

lemurs 2
IUCN Conservation Status –
Least Concern
Extinct In The Wild
Class: Mammals
Order: Primates
Family: Lemuridae

Take a stroll up Lake Road to spot our troop of ring-tailed lemurs on their island opposite the red pandas.

Ring-tailed lemurs are native to tropical dry and scrub forests in central and southwestern Madagascar.

They are omnivores, generally consuming plants, leaves, flowers, nectar, fruit, sap and bark, often supplementing their usual diet with insects, chameleons and small birds.

Interesting facts!

  • When sunbathing, these animals adopt a yoga-like posture, sitting on their bums and stretching out their legs to warm up their bellies.
  • Female lemurs are very attentive to young lemurs, babysitting and forming groups, where infants can play. They often switch babies and nurse infants of other females.
  • Ring-tailed lemurs have a good grip due to the opposable thumbs, resembling these of humans, as well as leather-like palms on their feet.

Conservation

With a population of between 10,000 and 100,000 left on the island, they are considered an Endangered species, as the forest in which they live is being destroyed by slash and burn agriculture, charcoal production and mining for gemstones and minerals.

Ring-tailed lemurs are found in all five of the protected areas within their range. Zoos worldwide contribute to a captive breeding programme for the species, including Newquay Zoo.