Common Name: Ruffed Lemurs

Toxonomy: Mammalia Primata Lemuridae . Varecia variegata/rubra

Identification: There are two sub species of the Ruffed Lemurs. They share pretty much all the same characteristics, except for color, as they are quite simply on opposite ends of the spectrum. The first is the Black and White Ruffed Lemur, and the second the Red Ruffed Lemur. The red have a red body, black tail hands and face, and a small patch of white towards the top of their shoulders. The black and white have black tail and face, with a black and white patched body. The very distinguishing characterstic of the Ruffed Lemurs is their white patch surrounding their head, typically referred to as the ruff, hence the name. The length of them are generally between 55 and 65 cm uncluding the tail, and they weigh about 3.5 to 4.5 kg.

Environment: This is the area in which the Black and White species differs from the Red. The Black and White live primarily on the west coast of Madagascar, in the dense rainforests which are located up to 1200 meters above sea level. The Red on the other hand occupate the forests of the southern tip of the Masoala Peninsula, which is near Maroantsetra, in northeastern Madagascar.

Diet: The diet of the Ruffed lemurs as is the case with most other lemurs is completely vegetarian. It largly consistsof fruit with leaves, nectar, and some variety of seeds. Although they have been known to stray from those boundaries occasionally.

Behavior: Normally travelling in groups from two to five these lemurs have a territory that they protect and are hostile to invading lemur groups. The group is led by females which is common so as they can feed and breed easier. As is the case with other primates grooming is one way to form social bonds, but instead of their hands they use the bottom row of their teeth as a crude comb. They have a elaborate system of alarm calls that are used in communication. With the calls the other group members can determine what the problem is and where it can be found.

Reproduction: The ruffed lemurs breed during the months of May, June, and July. Their offspring are in the womb for three months. Ironically these lemurs are the only such primate that can have litters of offspring with numbers near six children. To accomodate the number of offspring, in turn, they have six mammary glands in which they can nurse all of their young. Different then most other primates the ruffed lemurs leave their young in nests while they revert to foraging.

Conservation: The rainforest climate of the Ruffed Lemurs are being rapidly depleted. In addition they are hunted and used as food for the members of the Malagasy people. There are currently several protected facilities and zoos that the lemurs call home, but without more effort who knows what will happen.

Media:
[bwrruffed01.jpg]..Shown Above
[bwruffed01.jpg]..B/W Staring
[rruffed01.jpg]..Red Staring
[rruffed02.jpg]..Two Red Twins
[bwruffed02.jpg]..B/W Facial