Red ruffed lemur
Statut U.I.C.N
Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature
- lc Préoccupation mineure
- nt Quasi menacé
- vu Vulnérable
- en En danger
- cr En danger critique
- ew Éteint dans la nature
- ex Éteint
Carte d'identité
- Classe :
- Mammals
- Ordre :
- Primates
- Famille :
- Lemuridae
- Genre :
- Varecia
- Espèce :
- rubra
- Taille moyenne
- 110 to 120 cm
- Poids
- 3.4 to 3.5 kg
- Gestation
- About 100 days
1 to 3 young per litter - Habitat
- Tropical forests
- Régime
- Frugivore ; Nectarivore
The giant of the lemurs
A pollinator in fur — With a keen taste for nectar, it dips its muzzle into certain flowers to feed. Pollen then settles on its fur and can be carried to other flowers: in this way it takes part in their pollination.
Threats and conservation
The red ruffed lemur is threatened by deforestation, slash-and-burn agriculture and hunting. To protect it, tropical forests are preserved and protected areas are created. Breeding programmes in zoos also help to safeguard it.
Fun fact
Ruffed lemur babies are not carried clinging to their mother's belly or back as in many lemurs. She carries them gently in her mouth, rather as a cat does with its kittens!
