The ruffed lemur is the
largest lemur, weighing 3.5 - 4.5 kg (7.7 - 10 lb). Its head and body
length is about 50 cm (20"), and its tail is about 60 cm (24") long.
Ruffed lemurs get their name from the long, thick hair on their ears.
There are two subspecies: the black-and-white ruffed lemur and the red
ruffed lemur. The two subspecies are generally similar but differ
significantly in their coloration and where they are found. The pelages
of both subspecies are long and luxuriant. The pelage of the
black-and-white ruffed lemur predominantly consists of different-sized
patches of black and white, while that of the red ruffed lemur is mostly
red, with a black crown and a white nape.
The ruffed lemur lives
in primary and secondary rain forests in eastern Madagascar. The ruffed
lemur is entirely vegetarian, eating mainly fruit with supplemental
leaves, nectar and seeds. Fruit comprises a larger percentage of its
diet than is the case for any other lemur. The ruffed lemur is an
arboreal forest dweller. It prefers to spend time in the top layers of
the canopy. Almost exclusively diurnal, the ruffed lemur is most active
early in the morning and in the late afternoon and evening. A female
ruffed lemur does not carry her offspring on her stomach or back like
most primates. Rather, unlike any other primate in the world, a female
ruffed lemur gives birth and leaves her young in a nest made from twigs,
leaves and vines, generally 10 - 20 m (33 - 66') above the ground.
The
social structure of the ruffed lemur is variable - groups can include 1
male and 1 female, multiple males and females, or aggregations of
smaller groups. In some areas of Madagascar, the animals are found in
small groups of 2 - 5 individuals. In other areas, loose affiliations of
between 18 and 32 animals occupy home ranges around 60 hectares (150
acres) in size. Females are the driving force in group dynamics and are
always dominant over males. The social system changes depending on the
season and the quality of the habitat. Ruffed lemurs will form larger
groups during the wet season when food is plentiful, and disperse during
the dry season in search of scarce fruit.
Ruffed lemurs are
confined to eastern rain forest regions of Madagascar and appear to be
uncommon to rare throughout their range. The Antainambalana River in
northeastern Madagascar separates the ranges of the two subspecies.
Black-and-white ruffed lemurs were originally found in most forested
areas along the entire east coast of Madagascar. Currently, the
distribution of the black-and-white subspecies is poorly known,
particularly at the northern limits. The red ruffed lemur appears to be
restricted to the Masoala Peninsula in northeastern Madagascar. The
ruffed lemur is threatened by deforestation and by hunting and trapping
for food and the pet trade.