Animals
Class: Mammal
Biome:
Conservation Status: Endangered
About this animal
A native of the island of Madagascar, ruffed lemurs are found living in the eastern rainforests. Ruffed lemurs are named so because of the white ruff or fur which is present around their ears. Their body length is close to four feet and they weigh about 7 to 12 pounds. The Ruffed lemur is very agile and is able to leap several meters from tree to tree onto both vertical and horizontal supports. They are considered to be crepuscular – active at dawn and dusk. They eat a vegetarian diet of fruits, seeds, nectar and plant matter. Ruffed Lemurs scent mark their territories and also use an elaborate system of alarm calls that are used to alert group members that a predator is nearby. Predators that trigger alarm calls include boa constrictors, eagles, hawks and the fossa, a weasel-like animal that is native to the island of Madagascar. A female ruffed lemur does not carry her offspring on her stomach or back like most primates. Rather, unlike any other primate in the world, a female ruffed lemur gives birth and leaves her young in a nest made from twigs, leaves and vines, generally 10 - 20 m (33 - 66') above the ground.
Did you know?
When appropriate flowers are available, the ruffed lemur eagerly feeds on nectar by sticking its long nose deep into the flower. During this feeding, the flower is not harmed, but the lemur’s snout becomes coated with pollen, which is then transported to other flowers. Hence for certain species of plants in the tropical forests of Madagascar, the ruffed lemur is an important pollinator.
