What kind of animal is a ring-tailed lemur? We will explain their characteristics, ecology in trees and on the ground, how they live, how they live in groups, and their habitat. This lemur is said to live in Madagascar, Africa, and is a very special monkey. They are primitive primates called prosimians.
What is a ring-tailed lemur? About basic status
Ring-tailed lemurs are primates classified in the order Primates and family Lemuridae. The scientific name is Lemur catta, which is written and written in kanji as ring-tailed fox monkey. The body length is 38.5 – 45.5cm and the weight is 2.3 – 3.5kg. The list of information is as follows. This monkey is also known as a monkey that spreads its arms and legs and basks in the sun. Ring-tailed lemurs do not have a well-developed thermoregulatory system, so they warm themselves up by basking in the sun when it’s cold.
| Japanese（和名） | ワオキツネザル |
| English（英名） | Ring Tailed Lemur |
| scientific name(学名) | Lemur catta |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Primate、 Lemuridae、Lemur 哺乳綱、霊長目、キツネザル科、ワオキツネザル属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | ENDANGERED |
| Length（体長） | 38.5 – 45.5cm |
| Weight（体重） | 2.3 – 3.5kg |
About classification
This species alone constitutes the ring-tailed lemur genus. The genus name Lemur is derived from the Latin word lemures, meaning “ghost”.
🐒 Taxonomy of Ring-Tailed Lemurs
| 分類階級 | 名称 | 補足 |
|---|---|---|
| 界（Kingdom） | 動物界（Animalia） | 多細胞生物、真核生物 |
| 門（Phylum） | 脊索動物門（Chordata） | 背骨を持つ |
| 綱（Class） | 哺乳綱（Mammalia） | 恒温・乳腺で授乳する |
| 目（Order） | サル目（Primates） | 指先が器用、社会性の高い哺乳類 |
| 亜目（Suborder） | キツネザル亜目（Strepsirrhini） | 鼻が湿っていて嗅覚が発達、原始的なサル |
| 科（Family） | キツネザル科（Lemuridae） | マダガスカル固有種の原始的サル |
| 属（Genus） | ワオキツネザル属（Lemur） | 尾が環状模様のキツネザル |
| 種（Species） | ワオキツネザル（Lemur catta） | 代表的な尾が輪模様の種 |
About habitat
Ring-tailed lemurs are endemic to Madagascar. It is distributed in the south from Moundava to Fort Dauphin.
- Geographic Distribution
Native to southern and southwestern Madagascar
In the wild, they are limited to Madagascar’s dry forests, shrubs, and rocky areas.
Notable habitats:
Antsirabe Mountains (Andringitra)
Isalo National Park
Dry forests around Antananarivo
- Habitat Characteristics
Forest Type: Dry Deciduous Forest, Spiny Forest, Mixed Rocky Forest
Climate:
Dry with low annual precipitation
Large temperature difference between day and night
Altitude:
Live between 0 and 1,600 meters above sea level
Food Resources:
They feed on fruits, leaves, flowers, bark, and insects, so forests and shrubs with food sources are important to them.
- Social and Spatial Habitat
Public Group Living: Groups of 10-30 individuals are common.
Territoriality: Each group has its own area of activity, using trees and rocks for mobility.
Diurnal: Forage and move during the day, resting in the shade or on rocky areas at night.
- Relationship with Conservation Status
Habitat is shrinking due to deforestation, pasture conversion, and development.
Ring-tailed lemurs are endangered in the wild (IUCN: EN, Endangered).
Protection in national parks and protected areas is important.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Ring-tailed lemurs have gray backs, light colored bellies and limbs (front and hind limbs) with white tips, black on the top of the head, around the eyes, and on the snout, and white and black ring-shaped markings on the tail. They have sharp claws and use them skillfully. There is a claw on the second toe of the hind leg, which is used for grooming. Ring-tailed lemurs live in trees, such as deciduous forests. Males mark by rubbing their wrists directly against tree branches, or by rubbing their tails and then waving them around.
- Appearance and Physique
Body Length: Approximately 40-45cm (head and body length)
Tail Length: Approximately 50-60cm
Weight: Approximately 2.2-3.5kg
Coat Color:
Body is gray to brown
Face has a distinctive black and white pattern
Tail has a striking black and white striped pattern (ring pattern)
Limbs:
Long, slender fingers are dexterous, making them adept at climbing trees and manipulating branches
Tails are used for balance, but not for grasping
- Personality and Behavior
Highly Social:
Live in groups (approximately 10-30 individuals)
Hierarchical relationships within the group are female-dominant (female-dominant)
Curious and Active:
Diurnal, active during the day
Often engages in play and chasing
Communication:
Signals by raising and wagging the tail
Warning and communication sounds (humming, shouting, etc.)
- Ecological Characteristics
Diurnal: Forages in the morning and afternoon, rests at night
Diet: Omnivorous (fruit, leaves, flowers, bark, insects, etc.)
Social Structure:
Matrilineally dominant (females are leaders)
Her territories are maintained within the group
Athletic Ability:
Excellent at climbing trees and walking on rocky terrain
Often moves on the ground, balancing with its tail held high
- Vision, Hearing, and Smell
Vision: Developed color vision due to diurnal activity
Hearing: Important for communication within the group
Smell: Used for territorial marking and social communication
What is your personality like?
Ring-tailed lemurs are very friendly and easy-to-tame monkeys. They are also highly social animals and tend to live in groups. They travel in herds and are very disciplined.
- Highly Social
They live in groups, with each group consisting of 10-30 individuals.
There is a clear hierarchy within the group.
Female dominance is particularly prevalent (females are the leaders).
They huddle together and signal by raising their tails.
- Curious and Active
They are diurnal and active during the day.
They have high athletic ability, climbing trees and jumping across rocky areas.
Young individuals are particularly playful and enjoy chasing each other.
- Vigilance and Defense Instinct
They are sensitive to predators and danger, and will warn with calls and tail movements.
When they sense danger:
They raise their tails high to alert others.
They may also spit (primarily as a threat).
They will quickly flee.
- Intelligence and Learning Ability
They are highly intelligent and learn the social rules of their group.
They easily get used to people and their environment in captivity.
They do not use tools, but cooperate with the group to manage food and territory.
What is the ecology like?
Ring-tailed lemurs feed on leaves, fruits, flowers, leaves, herbs, insects, chameleons, etc. The form of coexistence is viviparous. They breed from April to May every year. The gestation period is about 4 months, and 1-3 young are born at a time in August-September. The lifespan is about 16 to 19 years.
- Habitat
Region: Southern to Southwestern Madagascar
Environment:
Dry Deciduous Forest
Spiny Forest
Mixed areas with rocky terrain and open grasslands
Altitude: 0-1,600m
Climate: Dry, with large temperature differences between day and night
- Diet
Omnivorous
Main Food:
Fruits, leaves, flowers, and bark
Occasionally eats insects and small animals
Foraging Behavior:
Feeds during the day while moving in groups
Uses tail and paws to manipulate food
- Social Structure
Live in groups (approximately 10-30 individuals)
Matrilineal dominance (female leader)
Hierarchy within the group is clear, and fighting is rare
Communicates through tail movements, vocalizations, and physical contact
- Behavior Patterns
Diurnal: Active during the day, resting at night
Athletic Ability:
Excellent at climbing trees, jumping, and moving around rocky areas
Active on the ground
Defensive Behaviors:
Warn predators with vocalizations
Threaten by holding their tail high
Escape if necessary
- Reproduction
Sexual Maturity:
Females: Approximately 3 years old
Males: Approximately 4 years old
Breeding Season: Mainly the dry season (April-June)
Gestation Period: Approximately 4-5 months
Birth:
Usually one cub (twins are rare)
Breastfed, and begin to eat solid food around 2 months of age
Rearing:
Keeps watch over cubs in a group
Social learning involves learning hierarchical relationships within the group and avoiding danger
- Lifespan
Wild: Approximately 16-19 years
Captive: Can live for more than 20 years
Are there any natural enemies?
There are no large carnivores living nearby, so there are no natural enemies.
About baby ring-tailed lemurs
This article provides detailed information about baby ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta).
- Name
They do not have a specific name, and are called “infant lemurs” or “young lemurs.”
The juvenile stage is from birth to about one year of age.
- Birth
Gestation Period: Approximately 4-5 months
Birthing Period: Mainly during the dry season (April-June)
Litter Size: Usually one cub (twins are rare)
Birth Weight: Approximately 60-80g
Behavior:
They are held by their mother immediately after birth and breastfeed.
They remain largely immobile and dependent on their mother for the first few weeks.
- Growth and Development
Nursing Period: Approximately 4-6 months
Weaning: From around 3-4 months of age, they begin to gradually eat solid foods (fruits, leaves, etc.).
Hair Development:
They are born with thin fur and are held by their mother to maintain body heat.
As they grow, they develop the same gray color and black and white striped tail pattern as their parents.
- Behavior/Personality
Highly dependent on their mother, they grow up under the protection of their mother and the group.
Playful and curious:
They chase and play with other baby monkeys in the group.
Learning behavior:
They learn tree climbing, food gathering, and social rules from their mother and other adults in the group.
Vigilance:
They cling to their mother when they sense danger.
They learn through observation of behaviors that ensure the safety of the group.
- Sociality
They learn hierarchical relationships and communication methods within the group from an early age.
Playing with other young monkeys and physical contact with their mothers are important for the development of social skills and cooperation.
Is the ring-tailed lemur an endangered species?
The ring-tailed lemur is designated as the national animal of Madagascar. However, it is designated as an endangered species. It is also listed in Appendix I of the Washington Convention, so international trade is severely restricted. As of 2017, it is estimated that only about 2,000 ring-tailed lemurs remain in the wild, and extinction is imminent. There is a sharp decline due to the following reasons.
habitat destruction
Habitat destruction is caused by humans. Ever since humans settled the island, forests have been cleared to create pastures and farmland. Currently, it is said that 90% of Madagascar’s original forest cover has been lost, which is a significant blow.
Overhunted for pets
They are also overhunted by humans for pets. This has disrupted their collective ecology, making it difficult for them to survive.
Can ring-tailed lemurs be kept as pets?
Ring-tailed lemurs are designated as an endangered species as mentioned above, so there are very strict restrictions and there is no chance for the general public to keep them. At the zoo, you will be guided through events and other events, so let’s take a look. Or you could go to Madagascar when you have time. Please visit the website for information on events and recruitment within the park.
- Legal Restrictions
Ring-tailed lemurs are a near-endangered wild animal native to Madagascar.
In many countries and regions, keeping them as pets is prohibited without special permission.
In Japan:
Ring-tailed lemurs may be classified as designated animals.
Breeding and import require permission from the prefectural governor.
Keeping is also restricted in the United States and the EU, making it extremely difficult for individuals to keep them.
- Difficulty of Keeping
Because they are highly social and live in groups, keeping them alone can be stressful.
Their diet is diverse, including fruits, leaves, flowers, and insects, making nutritional management complex.
They are active and require a large exercise area and climbing facilities.
Because they move around actively using their tails and limbs, keeping them in small spaces is unsuitable.
- The Reality of Keeping Pets
Compared to smaller monkeys, noise, odor, aggression, and biting habits are more difficult to manage.
Due to their long lifespan (16-19 years in the wild and over 20 years in captivity), they require long-term care.
This is virtually impossible for individuals without experience.
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