Etymology Īlthough the term 'lemur' was first intended for slender lorises, it was soon limited to the endemic Malagasy primates, which have been known as 'lemurs' ever since. Local Malagasy farmers and logging industries frequently make use of slash and burn deforestation techniques, with smoke being visible on the horizon on most days in Madagascar, in an effort to accommodate livestock and to cultivate larger fields of crops. As of early 2017, the population in the wild is believed to have crashed to as low as 2,000 individuals due to these reasons, making them far more critically endangered. Experiments have shown that the ring-tailed lemur, despite the lack of a large brain (relative to simiiform primates), can organize sequences, understand basic arithmetic operations, and preferentially select tools based on functional qualities.ĭespite adapting to and breeding easily under captive care (and being the most popular species of lemur in zoos worldwide, with more than 2,000 captive-raised individuals), the wild population of ring-tailed lemur is listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List, due to habitat destruction, local hunting for bushmeat and the exotic pet trade. Additionally, lemurs of both sexes will scent-mark trees, logs, rocks or other objects by simply rubbing their faces and bodies onto it, not unlike a domestic cat.Īs one of the most vocal primates, the ring-tailed lemur uses numerous vocalizations, including calling for group cohesion and predator alarm calls. The males perform a unique scent-marking behavior called spur-marking, and will participate in stink fights by dousing their tails with their pheromones and “wafting” it at opponents. The glands are located near the eyes, as well as near the anus. Like other lemurs, this species relies strongly on their sense of smell, and territorial marking, with scent glands, provides communication signals throughout a group’s home range. They will often also have their palms open and eyes gently closed. Due to this lifestyle, they also sunbathe the lemurs can be observed sitting upright on their tails, exposing their soft, white belly fur towards the sun. Ring-tailed lemurs are strictly diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. Mutual grooming is another vital aspect of lemur socialization (as with all primates), reaffirming social and familial connections, while also helping rid each other of any potential insects. To keep warm and reaffirm social bonds, groups will huddle together. It is also a female-dominant species, a commonality among lemurs. The ring-tailed lemur is highly social, living in groups of up to 30 individuals. It is omnivorous, as well as the most adapted to living terrestrially of the extant lemurs.

Known locally in Malagasy as maky ( i, spelled maki in French) or hira, it ranges from gallery forests to spiny scrub in the southern regions of the island. Like all lemurs, it is endemic to the island of Madagascar, where it is endangered. It belongs to Lemuridae, one of five lemur families, and is the only member of the Lemur genus. The ring-tailed lemur ( Lemur catta) is a medium- to larger-sized strepsirrhine (wet-nosed) primate, and the most internationally-recognized lemur species, owing to its long, black-and-white, ringed tail.

Botanicula lemur