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ring-tailed lemur
(lemur catta)


Found only on the African island of Madagascar and some tiny neighbouring islands.

biological characteristics

Ring-tailed Lemurs are primates, easily recognised by their long, vividly striped, black-and-white tails. They move quadrupedally, meaning they use their hands and feet, but cannot grip with their tails like some of their primate cousins. They eat mostly fruit, but also eat leaves, flowers, tree bark, and sap. Ring-tailed lemurs spend more time on the ground than any other lemur species. Smell and scent are very important, for example, during mating season, male lemurs battle for dominance through 'stink fighting' with each other by rubbing scent on their tails and waving them in the air.

conservation status

Near Threatened with a decreasing population trend (IUCN red data list)


  • Ring-tailed lemurs live in groups known as troops that can have up to 30 members. Each troop is lead by a dominant female.
  • The word "lemur" comes from the word lemures, a Roman word for ghosts or spirits.
  • They love to sunbath, sitting in an upright position facing the sun.

fact file

Found at elevations from sea level to 1500m.