Ring-tailed Lemurs: Madagascar’s Most Iconic Primate

Ella Munro
4 hours ago
5 min read

Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) standing on hind legs with tongue out

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Primates

Family: Lemuridae

Genus: Lemur

Species: Lemur catta

If you asked someone to picture a lemur, chances are they would immediately think of the striking black-and-white striped tail of the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). Native only to the island of Madagascar, these charismatic primates are among the most recognisable mammals in the world and have become a flagship species for conservation across the island.

Despite their popularity, ring-tailed lemurs represent a very ancient branch of the primate family tree. Lemurs diverged from monkeys and apes roughly 60 million years ago, meaning they retain several evolutionary traits that help researchers better understand the early history of primates. They are considered prosimians", meaning ‘pre-monkey’ or ‘before apes’. Studying species such as Lemur catta therefore provides fascinating insight into how primates evolved and adapted to different ecological niches.

Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) with tail curled around body

Ring-tailed lemurs typically have a lifespan of 16 - 19 years in the wild and can have life spans of around 20 – 30 years in captivity. They are medium-sized primates with a body length of approximately 39 - 46 cm (15.4 – 18.1 inches), while their tail is longer than their body, typically measuring 55 - 63 cm (21.7 – 24.8 inches). Adults usually weigh between 2.2 and 3.5 kg (4.8 – 7.7 lbs). Their most distinctive feature is the ringed tail, which contains around 13 alternating black and white bands. Interestingly, this tail is not prehensile, meaning it cannot grasp branches. Instead, it plays a key role in balance and communication. Other recognisable features include grey to brown body fur with a lighter underside, white facial fur surrounding the eyes and muzzle, dark triangular eye patches that create a “masked” appearance, and bright yellow, amber, or orange coloured eyes.

Ring-tailed lemurs are found exclusively in southern and southwestern Madagascar, inhabiting environments that range from dry deciduous forests and spiny forests to scrubland and gallery forests along rivers. Unlike many other lemur species that are strongly arboreal, ring-tailed lemurs are one of the most terrestrial lemurs. They spend a considerable amount of time travelling on the forest floor, moving between feeding areas and resting sites. When travelling across the ground, ring-tailed lemurs move quadrupedally (on all fours), often hold their tails upright like a flag, helping other troop members keep visual contact while moving through vegetation. They also have dermal ridges on their hands, which provides a firmer grip while moving through the trees, and claw-like nails on their second toe, which aids in climbing and eating.

Ring-tailed lemurs are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant material including leaves, fruit, flowers and bark. They will also consume insects, small invertebrates, and occasionally bird eggs. In the dry forests of southern Madagascar, the tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica) is a particularly important food source. These trees provide both fruit and foliage, allowing lemurs to survive during periods when other food resources are scarce. Their flexible feeding strategy allows them to survive in relatively harsh and seasonal environments compared with some other lemur species.

Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) with backs turned

Ring-tailed lemurs live in social groups known as troops, typically consisting of 6 - 25 individuals. One of the most interesting aspects of their behaviour is that their society is matriarchal. Females dominate males socially and usually remain in their natal group for life, while males often move between troops.

Common social behaviours include allogrooming, which strengthens bonds within the group, morning sunbathing, where lemurs sit upright with their arms outstretched to absorb warmth, and scent communication, using specialised scent glands. Male ring-tailed lemurs are also known for their unusual “stink fights.” During these ritualised displays, males rub scent glands on their tails and wave them toward rivals during dominance contests.

Ring-tailed lemurs have a seasonal breeding period, usually occurring between April and May. After a gestation period of around 134 - 138 days, females typically give birth to a single infant, although twins can occasionally occur. Infants initially cling to their mother’s underside before later riding on her back as they grow. Young lemurs begin exploring their surroundings within a few weeks but remain dependent on their mothers for several months.

Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) (Percy) with a stick

Lemurs only a few known natural predators. Predators of ring-tailed lemurs include fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), Madagascar harrier-hawk (Polyboroides radiatus), Madagascar buzzard (Buteo brachypterus), Madagascar ground boa (Acrantophis madagascariensis) and even domestic cats (Felis catus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). There are a few methods used by lemurs to evade predators. One such way is using tools such as rocks and sticks in their natural setting to help fight against predators. Lemurs are very ingenious when problem solving. Another method is producing grunts, barks, and high-pitched squeals when they feel threatened or in danger. This alarm call is used to alert the rest of lemur troop/family to find shelter/safety. If the family can’t run and hide, they may gang up on the predator. This behaviour is known as mobbing and most of the time the natural predator will go away.

Lemur catta are one of the most vocal primates and have several different alarm calls. If calling to infants, they will use a soft purr like sound. If the troop is widely dispersed they will use a cohesion call which sounds like a cat’s meow. Ring-tailed lemurs also have a territorial call which can be heard for over a half mile (1 kilometre) away. As well as their alarm calls they have been known to produce repulsion calls, a series of staccato grunt sounds that occur between two individuals.

Graphic showing IUCN conservation status Endangered

Despite their widespread recognition, ring-tailed lemurs are currently classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their decline is primarily caused by habitat loss due to agriculture and charcoal production, deforestation, hunting for bushmeat, and capture for the illegal pet trade. In 2013 the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission (SSC) released a strategy of 185 pages outlining a strategy and actions that need to be taken to conserve lemurs and their habitat. The IUCN Save Our Species (SOS) also launched SOS Lemurs in 2017.

Madagascar itself is a biodiversity hotspot. As the island separated from mainland Africa around 160 million years ago, many species evolved in isolation. As a result, around 90% of Madagascar’s wildlife is endemic, meaning it occurs nowhere else on Earth. Protecting Madagascar’s remaining forests is therefore crucial for the long-term survival of this species and many more.