Lemurs are primates that are solely indigenous to the African island of Madagascar and some other small nearby islands. Lemurs are thought to have drifted there millions of years ago and evolved in seclusion over many centuries.
Ring-tailed lemurs' trademark is their longer-than-body, bushy, intensely striped, black-and-white tail.
Despite a relatively high presence in many zoos around the world, according to IUCN Red List, Lemurs are listed under the endangered animal status.
The endangered status is due to their vanishing wild habitat; which has been affected by human activities such as conversion to farmland and burning of trees for charcoal; poaching for bush-meat and fur, as well as the exotic pet trade.
Interesting facts about Lemurs:
Unlike their primate cousins, Lemur cannot use their long tails to grip on branches. Their tails, however, are used for balance and communication.
Ring-tailed lemurs spend a lot of time on the ground, which is unlike any other lemur species.
Fruit makes up for the larger part of their diet, but they also munch on various types of shrubs, flowers, tree bark, and sap.
Ring-tailed lemurs live in groups known as troops which are made up of roughly 5 to 30 animals.
A dominant female usually presides over each troop, which comprise of both female and male lemurs.
Along with eye cues and vocalizations, lemurs also use scent marking as a means of communication. Their powerful scent glands produce a strong and one of a kind pungent odor. During the mating season, male lemurs out-battle one another by covering their tails with stinky secretions and wafting them at their opponents, while menacingly staring at one another!
The new-born clings to its mother's chest for 1-2 weeks and then on her back henceforth. At two weeks, the baby can feed on solid food and starts exploring on its own. But then again, the young one is not wholly weaned until 4-5 months of age.
Their average lifespan in the wild spans up to about 18 years, and 30 years in captivity.