Red ruffed Lemur
(Varencia variegata rubra)
Habitat
Red ruffed lemurs live in deciduous tropical forests of the Masoala Peninsula
in northeastern Madagascar, at elevations up to 3,300 feet (1,006 m).
Physical
Characteristics
Red ruffed lemurs are the largest members of the Lemuridae; both sexes
average 43-47 inches (110-120 cm) in length including a bushy, 22-25 inch (56-65
cm) tail. Adult males weigh 7-10 pounds (3.2-4.5 kg). Females are usually heavier.
Slender bodied and long legged, red ruffed lemurs have a narrow, fox-like snout
and small ears that are hidden by a ruff of hair. The soft, woolly body fur is
a deep rusty red while their extremities, forehead, crown, belly and tail are
black. They have a patch of white fur on the nape of the neck and may have additional
white patches on the feet, digits or mouth. Red ruffed lemurs (and all prosimians)
lack extensive digit coordination, so they groom themselves and each other with
their teeth. Six bottom teeth form what is called the toothcomb. A specialized
claw on the second toes of their hind feet is used to brush their long, fluffy
coat. Red ruffed lemurs have scent glands on their rump used for group identification.
They also have acute senses of smell, vision and hearing.
Life
Span
Life span in the wild is 15-20 years; they live up to 19 years in captivity
Diet
In the wild: Fruits, leaves, nectar and seeds.
Their diet varies, depending on the season.
At
the zoo: Fruits, leaf-eater chow and various greens
(i.e., kale, romaine, spinach, etc.)
Reproduction
Red ruffed lemurs reach sexual maturity at about 2 years of age, and
have young at about 3 years of age. In the wild, breeding season
occurs from May through July, yet the female is in estrus for only
a few days and fertile only one day during this time. Gestation
lasts 90-102 days; a period remarkably short for this large of
a primate. Ruffed lemurs are the only primates that produce litters
of young. The most common litter size is three. Young are born
in September or October at the beginning of the wet season, when
food is plentiful. Unlike most primates, the female red ruffed
lemur may build several nests for her young, padding them with
her own body hair. Newborns have fur, and are wide-eyed at birth,
however, they are not mobile at birth. The mother may park them
in one of her satellite nests while foraging. At 7 weeks, youngsters
can follow their parents through the treetops. Weaning occurs when
young are about 4 months old.
Life Cycle
Lemurs live in social groups consisting of two to 16 animals.
They stay within a common home range, aggressively defending it from
other groups of red ruffed lemurs. As the dominant individuals, females
form the core of the group, and are the defenders of their territory.
During the wet season, red ruffed lemur groups will increase in size,
only to disperse as the dry season approaches and food becomes scarce.
Who Goes
There!
Red ruffed lemurs warn each other with a complex system
of at least 12 different vocalizations. These alarm calls can be low grunts,
gurgling sounds or a cackle-like roar. Red ruffed lemurs can even recognize
the alarm calls of their co-subspecies, the black and white ruffed lemurs.
Both subspecies will cooperate in warning the other1s group. Predators of red
ruffed lemurs include snakes, raptors, large mammals and humans.
Location
at the Zoo
Red ruffed lemurs are located outside, on
the African rain forest trail section of the Tropical Rain Forest.
Other species of lemur at Woodland Park Zoo include the
fat-tailed dwarf lemurs in the Night Exhibit.
Conservation
Connection
All lemurs are endangered species; the red
ruffed lemur is considered critically endangered, and is protected
under Appendix I of the Convention on the International Trade in
Endangered Species, (CITES). Scientists estimate that only 1,000
to 10,000 red ruffed lemurs remain in the wild. Habitat destruction,
hunting and live capture for the pet or animal trades place severe
pressures on lemur populations and are the leading causes of endangerment.
Because the red ruffed lemur has a small geographic range and low
numbers of wild specimens, it is one of the most endangered of the
Malagasy lemurs. Although some red ruffed lemurs live in a protected
area of Madagascar, the Masoala Nature Reserve, most of them occur
outside this reserve.
The island nation of Madagascar is an area
of great biodiversity, rivaling the ecosystems found in Brazil and
Indonesia. Madagascar separated from Africa over 160 million years
ago, and most of the animal species living there today are endemic,
evolving in isolation. It is vital to preserve the habitat of this
nation for all the unique species living in Madagascar. Fortunately,
red ruffed lemurs breed well in captivity. Over 300 individuals are
currently held by at least 70 institutions worldwide. Woodland Park
Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums' (AZA)
Prosimian Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) and the Malagasy Faunal Interest
Group (FIG). It is critical for zoos to support captive breeding
efforts in order to ensure the continued survival of this species.
How You Can Help!
The effort to save endangered species requires cooperation and support
at the international, national, regional and individual levels.
You can help in this cause. Join and become active in Woodland
Park Zoo or other conservation organizations of your choice. Do
not buy products made from wild-caught animal parts. Contact your
elected representatives and express your views about conservation
of endangered species and wild habitats. Support sustainable Madagascar
industries that protect rainforest resources.
Contact Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org to find out how you can support conservation programs at the zoo.
Learn other ways you can help conserve wildlife and the habitats
they require for survival by visiting our How You Can Help page.
Sources and Suggested Reading
Harcourt, Caroline. 1990. Lemurs of Madagascar and the Comoros:
The IUCN Red Data Book. World
Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, U.K. and Gland, Switzerland. 240
p.
Mittermeier, Russell A. et al. 1994. Lemurs
of Madagascar. Conservation International, Washington, DC.
356 p.
For Kids!
Powzyk, Joyce Ann. 1998. In Search of Lemurs: My Days and
Nights in a Madagascar Rain Forest. National Geographic Society.
Washington, DC., 48 p.