Red ruffed lemur

Varecia rubra

The red ruffed lemur is one of two species in the genus ''Varecia'', the ruffed lemurs; the other is the black-and-white ruffed lemur. Like all lemurs, it is native to Madagascar and occurs only in the rainforests of Masoala, in the northeast of the island.
Closeup of Red-ruffed Lemur in Masoala, Madagascar Heavily cropped, but just to give you an idea of what it looks like up close. Africa,Geotagged,Madagascar,Madagascar North,Masoala,Red ruffed lemur,Spring,Varecia rubra,World

Appearance

Ruffed lemurs are the largest members of the family Lemuridae, with this species being the larger of the two. It weighs 3.3–3.6 kg. It is about 53 cm long, with a 60 cm tail. Females are slightly larger than males. They have slender bodies and long legs. Red ruffed lemurs have a narrow snout with small back ears that are sometimes hidden by their long fur. They groom themselves using their toothcomb.

As its name would suggest, it has a rust-coloured ruff and body. Its head, stomach, tail, feet, and the insides of its legs are black. It has a white patch on the back of its neck, and may also have white markings on its feet or mouth.
Red-ruffed Lemur, Masoala, Madagascar Our first meeting with a Red-ruffed Lemur in Masoala, which is the only wild place left on the planet where they occur. Experienced guides know how to find them based on the types of trees they like. Photographing them is a challenge though due to the conditions: high canopy, lots of back light, overall dark and very dense forest. Africa,Geotagged,Madagascar,Madagascar North,Masoala,Red ruffed lemur,Spring,Varecia rubra,World

Status

The IUCN Red List states that the red ruffed lemur is critically endangered. Logging, burning of habitat, cyclones, mining, hunting, and the illegal pet trade are primary threats. They also have natural predators such as boa constrictors, eagles, and the fossa. The creation of the Masoala National Park in 1997 has helped protect this species, but many red ruffed lemurs do not live within the park's boundaries, and are still at high risk.
Red ruffed lemur, Andasibe, Madagascar Captive. Found on the secondary island of Lemur Island in Andasibe. In my opinion, the most attractive of lemurs. Their natural range is restricted to a single site and forest: Masoala. A few years earlier we had the privilege of seeing them in the wild: https://www.jungledragon.com/image/34296/red-ruffed_lemur_masoala_madagascar.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/34613/curious_red-ruffed_lemur_masoala_np_madagascar.html Africa,Andasibe,Geotagged,Lemur Island,Madagascar,Madagascar 2019,Red ruffed lemur,Varecia rubra,Winter,World

Behavior

The red ruffed lemur is a very clean animal and spends a lot of time grooming itself and each other. The lower incisors and the claw on the second toe of the hind foot are specially adapted for this behavior. The lower incisors grow forward in line with each other and are slightly spaced. This creates a toothcomb which can be used to groom its long, soft fur. The claw is also used for grooming.

The red ruffed lemur lives 15–20 years in the wild. In captivity, 25 years is not uncommon, and one lived to be about 33 years old. It is a diurnal animal, and most active in the morning and evening.This primate typically lives in small, matriarchal groups of 2-16 individuals, but group sizes of up to 32 have been recorded.

Its diet consists primarily of fruit, nectar, and pollen. Leaves and seeds may be eaten when fruit becomes scarce. Red ruffed lemurs will sometimes form large groups during the wet season when food is plentiful. They will all find one food source and forage together as a group. During the dry season they will often separate and find food on their own when the fruit is hard to find. This is very odd because most other diurnal lemurs will stay together and forage in large groups even during the dry season.
Red Ruffed Lemur Geotagged,Israel,Red ruffed lemur,Varecia rubra

Reproduction

Red ruffed lemurs reach sexual maturity at about 2 years of age, and start reproducing at about 3 years of age. Unlike all other diurnal primates, females build nests 10–20 meters above the forest floor, made with twigs, leaves, vines, and fur. Like all lemurs, and many Madagascan mammals, it has a fixed breeding season which takes place towards the end of the dry season . This is so the young can be born in the wet season when more food is available. Ruffed lemurs are also the only primates with litters of young, and, after a gestation period of 102 days, the female may give birth to up to six, although two or three is more typical. Newborns have fur and can see, but as they cannot move, the female leaves them in the nest until they are seven weeks old. Females can nurse up to six infants at the same time. Infant red ruffed lemurs are not as well developed at birth as other lemurs. This is not surprising because red ruffed lemurs have extremely short gestation periods. At birth, infants are not able to hold onto the mother. When she moves the infants she picks them up one by one. Mothers usually move their infants away from the nest after a week or two. When she forages she leaves her infants in a nearby tree. In the few days after she gives birth, if the mother needs to leave the nest, the father will stand guard. Weaning occurs at four months. It is estimated that 65% of young do not reach three months of age, and often die by falling from the trees.
Red ruffed lemur Monkeys,Red ruffed lemur,Varecia rubra

Food

The red ruffed lemur is mainly a fruit-eater, though it is known to eat leaves and shoots. They especially like figs.

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