Overview
Like all species of lemur, the ring-tailed lemur (or Lemur catta) is native to Madagascar and is not naturally found anywhere else in the world. Ring-tailed lemurs have a pointed muzzle, cat-like ears, and a long tail that has 12 or 13 white rings, 13 or 14 black rings, and a tip that is always black. They are usually between 39cm and 46cm in size with a tail of 56cm to 63cm. They have an average weight of 2.2kg.
Found in Africa
Regions
Biomes
Appearance
Adult
Juvenile
Colourmorphs
Leucistic
Leucistic juvenileSize & weight
Size
Standing height: 55 to 60 cm
Weight
Male
2.7 kg
Female
2.7 kg
Bars use a log scale against the heaviest animal in the Zoopedia, the Common Hippopotamus.
Measured as Standing height. The person stands 1.75 m tall for scale.
Habitat requirements
Barrier grade
Grade 2 of 5
Minimum height
3 m minimum
Climbing & water
Climb proof
Needed
Water barrier
Allowed
Water barrier size
3 m wide, 1 m deep
Barriers at this grade
Barrier types with resistance grade 2 or higher.
Habitat needs
Minimum area
Land
210 m² + 8 m² per extra animal
Climbing
20 m² + 4 m² per extra animal
Shelter
2 m² per animal
Environment
Temperature
18 to 33°C
Plant coverage
10-100%
Enclosure
Climb-Proof Habitat
Dislikes
Rain and snow
Terrain
- Short Grass 10-40%
- Sand 0-20%
- Soil 10-80%
- Rock 0-40%
- Waterlogged 0-10%
Diet and enrichment
Diet
- Leafy Greens and Vegetables
- Nutritionally Complete Biscuits
Enrichment items
Water sources
Conservation
IUCN Red List
Endangered
Least concern
Critically endangered
Wild population
2,000
2,000 in the wild. Rank 8 of 58 species with a known count, smallest first.
The ring-tailed lemur is Endangered, with population estimates showing severe declines in recent decades. Deforestation, driven by slash-and-burn agriculture, charcoal production, and logging, has dramatically reduced the lemur’s natural habitat, fragmented populations and limited their access to food and mates. Additionally, ring-tailed lemurs are often hunted for bushmeat and captured for sale in local and international pet markets. Madagascar can also have harsh weather conditions and extended periods of drought that can kill large numbers of the population. Protected areas have been established and managed to conserve key habitats. Conservation programs involve local people in sustainable land management and provide alternative livelihoods that reduce dependence on forest resources. Education discourages hunting and the pet trade, while captive breeding programs and research efforts, including those led by zoos and conservation institutions globally, support conservation. Together, these efforts are critical to ensuring the survival of the species, though ongoing support and enforcement remain essential.
Zoopedia sketchbook
Social & reproduction
Keeper notes
Ring-tailed lemurs live in family groups of up to 30 individuals called 'troops' that will travel and forage together. The females are interrelated, and the males migrate from their family group when they reach adulthood. Lemur troops spend daylight hours foraging for leaves and fruit, moving several kilometres a day. They are playful and friendly towards members of their own group but may be aggressive to other lemur troops. Breeding season lasts from the middle of April to the middle of May. Ring-tailed lemurs are promiscuous; both males and females will mate with multiple partners. Who mates with whom depends on the dominance structure within the troop, with low ranking males unlikely to mate at all. Female lemurs will be pregnant for 4.5 months, before giving birth to 1 or 2 babies. Infants will be carried by their mother until they are 6 months old, when they will move around completely independently. Females remain with their mother's group for life, whereas young males leave their mother's group at 3 to 5 years of age in search of an unrelated group. They will move groups several times throughout their life. Ring-tailed lemurs are sexually mature around 3 years old.
Group and breeding
Group
Group name
Troop
Group size
3-30 (up to 29 males, up to 29 females)
Male bachelor group
1-30
Female bachelor group
1-30
Offspring dispersal
Male offspring
Lifecycle and breeding
Life expectancy
16-27 years
Age of sexual maturity
3 years
Age of sexual sterility
16 years
Gestation or incubation
4.4 months
Interbirth period
8 months
Litter size
1
Mating system
Promiscuous
Mating season
Summer
Reproduction in captivity
Easy
Dominance
Matriarchal
Research
Research levels
| Level | Unlocks | Research gate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Thriving Requirement 1: at least 18 objects or plants with the Climbable tag; Ring-Tailed Lemur Fact Sheet | |
| Level 2 | Thriving Requirement 2: at least 3 objects or plants with the Fruit Bearing Tree tag; Fertility Level 1 (+15% fertility) | |
| Level 3 | Thriving Requirement 3: Food Grade 2; Release groups and release to the wild | |
| Level 4 | Thriving Requirement 4: at least 50% native plants | |
| Level 5 | Thriving Requirement 5: Climbing Area; Fertility Level 2 (+30% fertility) | |
Researched by
Vets
Researched at
Habitat or exhibit and Research Centre
Every level of this species' research, with its unlock conditions.
Release groups
Valid release groups
| Group | Type | Animals |
|---|---|---|
| Family Group | Mixed group | 2 to 6 males, 3 to 8 females |
Release groups, reserve requirements and the roles this species fills.
Animal facts
- The ring-tailed lemur's Latin name is 'Lemur catta': it is named for its cat-like looks.
- The ring-tailed lemur's tail is longer than its body.
- Lemurs have specialised lower teeth that form a 'dental comb' used in grooming.
- Ring-tailed lemurs have specialised eyes with an adapted reflective layer in the retina that gives them excellent night vision.
- Male ring-tailed lemurs engage in 'stink fighting' when in competition for females: they drag their tails through strong-scent secreting glands located on their wrists and shoulders, and then waft their tails at each other.
Taxonomy
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
