Ring-tailed Lemur zoomed in to see their head in detail.

Ring-tailed Lemur

Ring-tailed Lemur

Check out Australia Zoo’s Ring-tailed Lemur!

Meet our tremendous troop of ring-tailed lemurs! Get up close and personal as they leap through the trees on Australia Zoo’s very own Bindi’s Island. Referred to as the “Sun-worshippers”, they can often be spotted soaking up sun rays on the island. Crikey, it’s cute so keep your camera handy!

 

Ring-tailed Lemurs eating from a hand.

 

These picture-perfect primates are native to the forests of Madagascar. Ring-tailed lemurs are identifiable by their long, vivid black and white striped tail and golden eyes. They use their hands and feet to effortlessly move through the trees.  Their tail is not prehensile, they use it for balance instead.

 

Ring-tailed Lemur sitting on a visitor's shoulder.

 

They have very powerful scent glands on their chest, wrists and below their tail. This is used as a communication tool. Ring-tailed lemurs will ‘stink fight’; meaning during mating season, the males will try to out-stink each other by rubbing their scent glands on their tail and flicking it at other lemurs who pose as a threat.

 

Ring-tailed Lemur staring to their left.

 

Ring-tailed lemurs live in a troop, consisting of up to 30 individuals. The troop is ruled by one dominant female. Girl power! They feed primarily on fruit, flowers, vegetation and, on occasion, have been known to eat eggs and small insects. They will spend the early morning and late afternoon foraging and will generally snooze through the heat of the day.

 

Ring-tailed Lemur standing in a field inspecting a plant.

 

Unfortunately, habitat destruction is the main threat facing ring-tailed lemurs in the wild. They are considered an endangered species.

  • Class of animal icon
    Class

    Mammalia

  • Genus of animal icon
    Genus

    Lemur

  • Species of animal icon
    Species

    catta

  • height of animal icon
    Height

    40 - 45 centimetres

  • weight of animal icon
    Weight

    2 - 3.2 kilograms

  • diet of animal icon
    Diet

    Herbivore primarily

  • gestation of animal icon
    Gestation

    139 days

  • threatened species status of animal icon
    Status

    Endangered