RING-TAILED LEMUR (Lemur cata)

		Spending more time on the ground than other lemurs, the Ring-tailed lemur is still an accomplished and graceful climber. They are very sociable, living in groups of up to 25, with the females running the group in a strict hierachy. These lemurs are vegetarian and they gather fruits, flowers, leaves, bark and sap with their hands. After a gestation period of around 136 days Ring-tailed lemur mothers give birth to one or two babies. The youngters initially cling to their mother's underside and later ride on her back. Whilst young females will remain with their female relatives, young males will move to other groups. The distinctive striped tail is important for visual and scent signals. During the mating season males will indulge in "stink wars". Rubbing scent glands, located on the inside of their arms, onto their tail, they then flick their tail forwards over their back to waft the scent towards a rival. The strongest smelling lemur wins!
AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS LENGTH   Head and body 42.5cm   Tail 59cm  •  WEIGHT 3kg

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