Ring-tailed Lemur

Habitat

Tropical dry and scrub forests in central and south west Madagascar.

Behaviour

This species of lemur is highly social and can be found in groups of up to 25 individuals. They spend much of their time grooming each other and playing together.

Breeding

Babies spend the first few weeks of life cuddled up with their mother, but it isn’t long before they are riding around on her back like jockeys! When food is plentiful twin births are not uncommon.

Threats

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

Conservation

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.