Black and White Ruffed Lemur

Black and White Ruffed Lemur

Range: Eastern coast of Madagascar.

Habitat: These lemurs live primarily in rain forests, staying up in the forest trees. They sometimes venture down to the ground to feed.

Lifespan: They can live up to 19 years.

Gestation: 90-120 days

Offspring: These lemurs usually have one or two offspring; most often, twins are born.

Size: Individuals can be up to 22 inches long and weigh between 7-10 pounds; a lemur's tail can be more than two feet long.

Diet: They mostly eat fruit, occasionally eating seeds, nuts and leaves or sipping plant nectar.

Characteristics: Black and white ruffed lemurs live in family groups of two to six individuals; rarely, there can be up to 16 animals in a single group. They communicate using loud barking sounds. You can tell a black and white ruffed lemur by its black and white fur, and its size: they are one of the largest lemurs.

Threats: Destruction of their rain forest homes, hunting and collection for the pet trade threaten these animals. They are protected under CITES.