About
Animal Facts
Common Name:
Red-ruffed Lemur
Scientific Name:
Varecia rubra
Behavior:
  • These lemurs tend to spend time in small groups and hang out in trees.
  • Designate territory by using special glands on their wrists and bottoms to scent mark trees and branches
  • Very vocal, calls alert group members of danger, maintain contact within the group, and threaten others.
Diet:
Herbivore
Weight:
9 lb
Length:
21 in
Life Span:
18 yrs
Gestation Period:
100 days
Number of Young:
3
Habitats:
  • Forest
Fun Facts:
  • These are the world's largest lemurs.
  • Ruffed lemurs are the only species of lemur to give birth to litters of young.
  • The name lemur comes from a Latin word meaning ghost or spirit.
  • Play a vital role in dispersing seeds from the fruits they eat through their feces
Threats:
  • Habitat Loss
  • Poaching / Over Consumption
Endangered Status
Endangered Status
  • Extinct in Wild (EW)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Not Evaluated (NE)

Trust through training allows keepers to touch the red-ruffed lemurs for exams, treat wounds, and administer vaccinations and other injections. The lemurs also voluntarily enter a transport crate and close the door on their own for trips to the veterinary hospital for check-ups.

Saving Species Plan Logo

This species is cooperatively managed as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan program program. This program is responsible for developing a Breeding and Transfer Plan for each species in the program.